James Jackson

Location: chicago, il

About me

James is the Senior Associate at JAJ & Associates, Adjunct Faculty and eLearning Consultant at MaxKnowledge and member of the Board of Advisors of Dream Catchers Global. James was the Associate Provost of Faculty Development, President of the Online Division at Harrison College and the Director for the Center of Technology Resources for Indiana Business College. Because of his extensive background in technology and his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for assisting aspiring business owners, James has provided his leadership/project management skills in many start-up operations mentoring dozens of young leaders over his career. All providing great growth opportunities for his stakeholders.

James has developed more than 50 courses and dozens of programs in the areas of technology, business, progress management and general education. James has been an instructor for more than 15 years during which time he provided training to over 500 trainers and more than 5000 students. His academic background includes a Masters of Education in Occupational Training and Development and is currently working on his doctoral dissertation in Higher Education Administration emphasis on Strategic Enrollment Management. James enjoys working with students and assisting them through complex concepts which he is able to turn into easy to understand and usable skills.

A full profile of my professional career is available on LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesajacksonjr

Connect with me on LinkedIn and here in the Lounge.

Interests

my family, golf, tennis, swimming, and participating in youth sports.

Skills

faculty development, elearning, program and curriculum development, project management, business analysis and technology integration

Activity

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Improving Classroom Management

Mary, have you considered discussing the classroom rules with the students on the first day of classes? Look for different games or classroom exercises that get your students engaged and talking about the classroom rules. You should even consider talking about how students want to be reminded about the classroom rules. What do they expect to take place when they do not follow the rules. This will make for a much smoother situation when you need to take action on a student not following the rules. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Self-Doubt

Rosemary, while it is true that the real world can be a very negative and at times scary place but the classroom is more of a time to assist them in learning skills to be successful. We as instructors need to populate their tool kits for life and facilitate their learning versus just broadcasting to them the information we feel they need to know. Through engagement and some creative lesson plans, we as instructors prepare students for the real world through positive reinforcement and an understanding of what may cause students to self terminate their educational goals. Jay Hollowell has… >>>

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Self-Doubt

Beverly , great topic. Some subjects will come easily to us while others will require more work. Such is life and best to learn good study habits and our own learning styles within the professional boundaries of the classroom. Earning a degree is not an ending point, it is simply a new beginning and learning is life long, we will never know everything. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Improving Classroom Management

Mary, the more students feel you are engaged with them and working to understand their needs and life challenges the more they will come to respect you and learn from you. I am not suggesting that you attempt to be their friend but it is critical you show them you are a concerned instructor interested in their success. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

School Discipline

Mary, I understand your statement and for students that already have been working on their classes for at least a year this is good advice. I do however suggest a different message for those students just starting their program. Perhaps something more positive and engaging to get them more excited about their educational goals. Again, I agree with your statement but feel it is better positioned later in their program. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Small Groups

Kitt, break your students up into groups and each week or periodically through out the weeks or months the group is together, have members of each group take turns being the group leader. Allow the stronger students be the leaders early and remind the other students to take notes and monitor how the other students are leading their groups. When it is their turn to lead, they can elect to request assistance from other class members but they must perform some form of group leadership skill to earn course credit. The extroverts will love this format while the introverts may… >>>

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Traits of Successful Instructors

Rosemary, setting the stage on day one is critical as well as constant reminders during the course sessions in the weeks or months that follow. One exercise I have seen that works very well is to conduct a classroom discussion about the class rules and discuss how students would like to be reminded when they are outside of the class rules. This gets them thinking about classroom management and they are also involved in how peers and the instructor are to remind them from time to time when the classroom rules are not followed. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Self-Doubt

Annette, awesome exercise. There are many such exercises and they are excellent forms of classroom engagement and positive reinforcement. Thanks for sharing. James Jackson

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Self-Doubt

Shonna, well stated. As you read through other posts you will likely come across mention of The Pacific Institute and Dr. Joe Pace. Dr. Pace talks about many topics and all are based in scientific research. The impact of positive self talk and hearing positive comments is incredibly powerful. We all hear so many negative statements they become common place and when we hear positive comments they tend to stand out. The focus is to flip this concept so the negative is what stands out and seems almost odd or out of place. Thanks for your comments and keep up… >>>

James Jackson

Discussion Comment

Self-Doubt

Tamera, your comments are right on. Any instructor that walks away from a graduation without a tear in their eye may want to consider another profession. I know of no greater forum that can vitalize instructors and students alike outside of a graduation ceremony. James Jackson

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