Heather Wipijewski

Discussion Comment

It has worked fabulous for me! Like I said I teach a course which deals with client relations - so instead of me lecturing or showing powerpoints and videos, I involve the students by having them role play - one of them acts as a client (which I give them a client to play and vary it) and one acts as the Veterinary Technician. I also had a Veterinarian offer to have my students go to his practice while he was closed and role play there. They did that just a couple of weeks ago and LOVED it! I find… >>>

Heather Wipijewski

Discussion Comment

Role playing

I teach veterinary technician courses - and one of them I teach is a office procedures course - since this class doesn't directly deal with animals - it can be a challenge to keep students interested. So what I like to do is a brief lecture about a topic and then involve the students by having them role play - I will have them act out a situation since we are talking about situations that deal with clients. Gets the students involved and they have fun with it.

Heather Wipijewski

Discussion Comment

Icebreakers for first class

Not only do I go over the syllabus, course outcomes, policies, etc. I also try to do some sort of an icebreak just to loosen up the students and have a little fun at the same time. Things I've done are - 2 truths and a lie - where the student tells everyone 2 truths and one lie about themselves and everyone needs to try to figure out which one is the lie - scavenger hunt - where they have to go around talking to their classmates to find certain things such as (1) Someone who has a brother -… >>>

Heather Wipijewski

Discussion Comment

Outline

I think it's important to have an outline of materials that I want to cover in each class - I encourage open discussion in my classes - and sometimes although we talk about topics related to what we are educating students in - it may be off from what we are talking about that day in class - therefore having that outline helps me be sure that I am presenting all necessary material and not missing things which are important for students to learn. Students seem to appreciate that as well - since they then feel well prepared.

Heather Wipijewski

Discussion Comment

Attendance and Professionalism

Although students are in a teaching environment - it is important for them to also treat their education as a "job". Employers want employees who are professional and reliable. I feel strongly about enocuraging and guiding students in this regard - so they will be viewed as a candidate for a position they may apply for and not overlooked.