Kiofa Clark

Blog Comment

I struggle with getting students to draw structures on the board. I explain the benefits and I tell them that perfection is not important, but I find that they use their cell phones to capture the structures I've drawn on the board. Good grief! Any suggestions?

Kiofa Clark

Blog Comment

Class Management Strategies

I am enjoying this course so far and I have written down some very useful tips. I was surprised ,yet shocked to see the area that discussed frustration that teachers experience when students seem like they are uninterested or they act like clowns/attention-seekers. I can't wait to see what else is in store in the course.

Kiofa Clark

Blog

My Plan

I have decided to focus on REFOCUSing as soon as possible. I am going to incorporate more real-life scenarios and interactive activities with my course. My class can be so simple (medical terminology) and seem so easy to understand, but I do have some that stuggle and I think this will help them. It won't hurt my over achievers either.

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

Ummmm

"Um" can definitely make or break a conversation/lecture. It comes out so quickly, but I agree that it does create a level of uncertainty. For someone who likes to say everything right the first time, I find myself pausing or saying um quite often. I will be more mindful from this point forward.

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

Instructor Burnout

@lindagibson : This is an interesting way to took at the change of schedule as well as the approach to a burn-out situation. I am one that is so comfortable in the course(s) that I teach that when I have to switch it up I'm not always happy. Next time I will think of how it will benefit me and the student by changing things up a bit.

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

@gmeers : I have the toughest time with the "human factor." I consider myself a nice kind hearted person,but I am often taken advantage of because of it. This makes me less likely to show the caring human side during instruction. For example, A pregnant student of mine will come up rubbing her belly and say, "I'm not feeling well today, I need to go home. " I do my best to accomodate the student and move on with my class. The next day this student gets bolder by saying, " I don't feel well, why don't we all just go… >>>

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

Reading deficiences

I am having a problem with a group of students that entered into the program as friends. They, however have different learning levels. It was discovered that one has a weakness in reading/vocabulary around midterm, but I have not been able to keep her separated from her friend who does well (with little effort). As for their other friend she is somewhere in between. I may have to use the seating chart approach next time. As for this individual she may not successfully complete my course.

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

Formal vs. Informal groups

I had never really paid attention to the fact that there are two types of groups. I have always thought that group work was group work. I have also realized during this section of the course that my groups are often too small (2-3 students) and this may be contributing to my ineffectiveness. I am going to work on this for future classes.

Kiofa Clark

Discussion Comment

5X7 vs. a piece of paper

I find it difficult to keep up with 5x7 notecards (in order to use them for the next term) so I end up using notebook paper and I.....keep it in a 3-ring binder. Is that so terrible? I find that on days when I have my little outline on my piece of paper we have a great class with a good "flow." I have, however used 5x7 cards before, I just have storage issues with them.

Kiofa Clark

Blog Comment

ED311

I really enjoyed this course. There were lots of ideas listed that I can't wait to try. I love the fact that this course was plain and simple. Short and sweet. Thanks so much for making this space available for instructors to learn and share ideas