James Jackson

Thanks for your feedback Ruth. Students can sense if an instructor really cares or if they are just there to pick up a paycheck. Effective teaching is not about friendship but it does involve relationship building and creating a work like feel in the classroom. For some students they have never been in a formal environment and their classroom is their only experience into the working world. Even those students that have prior work experience tend to think of education as a place where they can relax. They should feel unthreatened and free to ask questions but the environment should… >>>

Thanks for your feedback Teresa. Breaking down seemingly complex concepts and processes is what teaching is really all about. If everyone was able to breakdown the complex into the simple and more understandable then they would not need to take time to participate in formal education. Such levels of communication between teacher and student are a true skill and one that all instructors should work hard to master. The development of effective teaching and ultimate student learning has taken many years to progress but we are finally at a point where the data is very clear, students learn best when… >>>

Jennifer, thanks so much for your input and feedback on the course. You have provided some great first hand affirmations with respect to the value of setting the stage early in the class. By establishing a set of ground rules and expectations on day one, you can really make your life as an instructor much easier. You will occasionally have those students that want to test the boundaries. The majority of them do this because other instructors are not willing to be fair but firm and set the rules early so when the student comes across an instructor that is… >>>

Timothy, you have already overcome a huge hurdle which is self-reflection and acceptance of what you need to work on to go from a good instructor to a great instructor. In my experience of training instructors and other professionals which spans over 15 years now, I have found the hardest part is the self-realization that a change is needed. Being a great instructor is no different than being a great leader in any industry. The greatest leaders are able to reach their stakeholders in multiple dimensions including instructional leadership, inspirational leadership and spiritual leadership. There are successful leaders that can… >>>

Outstanding response Chavelle and I must say, bravo for standing your ground and not allowing the student to dictate the terms of your class or teaching style. Being student centric does not imply you have to give in to unrealistic demands. A good instructor will collaborate with their students and find common ground to move them forward in their learning, a great instructor will inspire their students to want to learn and follow the model the instructor has set. By standing your ground and discussing with the student your teaching style and the reasons you were not just going to… >>>

Yet another great and insightful response Wilfredo. I cannot recall the reference but I have heard it said that there is no greater sound to an individual than the vocalization of their own name, especially when it is heard from someone of authority and respect. You mentioned that calling students by their name was important in improving school discipline and I totally agree. Calling a student by name can be used as a sign of acceptance as well as a sign of a need to change behavior. I also like your comments about being firm and consistent. There are a… >>>

Wilfredo, thanks for sharing your experiences with working in small groups. There are many common threads from other instructors I have encountered over the years and trust me when I say you are not alone in the challenges you have shared. Not sure if you have ever read “Leaving The Lectern: Cooperative Learning and the Critical First Days of Students Working in Groups” by Dean McManus but the book provides some great information on how to set the stage early for success when working with student groups. The important concepts to take away here is the reality that you have… >>>

Thanks for your response Wilfredo. Classroom management can come in many forms but the final analysis of success is in the results of your actions. It appears to me that you are a top level instructor who takes teaching and learning very seriously. You have demonstrated through your response that you care about pedagogy and the dynamics of group activities. Your response also provided insight into your willingness to learn from other faculty members and to take what you have learned and apply new skills and techniques into your own classrooms. I love that you have self-evaluated as a motivated… >>>

Wilfredo, very creative use of classroom management and looks like you did as good a job as possible to be discrete yet diffuse the situation to a positive resolve. I would be interested in hearing what you yourself may have learned from such an experience. Did you change anything about your delivery method or your classroom management style so sleepy students did not repeat such an experience in your future classes? Experience can be a very effective teacher and I am always interested in those lessons learned by instructors and other education specialists when they have such situations take place… >>>