Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Over the years, I have taken it upon myself to create my very own lecture notes based on each chapter covered in the textbook. I then proceed to hand out copies of these notes to students as they arrive to class. What I have noticed is that if students see how much an instructor is willing to go for their education, they will approach the course with the same level of responsibility and attention to detail. The result is higher grades on exams and more interaction during class participation.

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Importance of Clear Objectives within Syllabus

As discussed within this module, it is imperative that instructors clearly state the goals and objectives on the first day of class. Usually when I meet students, I take time to read through the syllabus so that I can briefly touch upon the objectives as laid out by the department. This ensures that faculty are indeed following policies and that students can be assessed and retention measured with the use of exams and lab reports.

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Lesson Plans Not Frequently Considered at College Level

I personally do not find myself spending time writing detailed lesson plans for the semester/quarter. Frankly, I find that this process can be easily skipped if the instructor is organized by nature, creates outlines for his students, and has memorized how each lecture should be run through years of experience.

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

The Importance of Icebreaker Activities

At the institution where I teach, it is required and expected of instructors to carry out icebreakers on the first day of class. These activities allow for students to open up about themselves, allow them to get settled into the class, and most importantly get familiar with the person teaching them. One particular assignment that I find useful in English Composition is to assign a short essay that describes the person's name, hobbies, family life, goals, and program of study. Not only do I get a chance to grade on proper essay format, but it gives me a chance to… >>>

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

The Use of PBS Video and MyLab from Pearson

As a Biology Instructor, I have found that PBS Video (specifically Frontline, NOVA, and Nature) are excellent teaching tools when discussing how topics in Biology affect us on a daily basis. It provides students with an opportunity to witness audio, visual, and current events all at the same time. In my class, I usually assign a "Video Synopsis" where a student is required to write a two-page summary on the plot of the movie and on criticisms and reactions. Additionally, as an English Instructor I found that some students who are struggling with grammar, spelling, and punctuation can work on… >>>

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

The Importance of Videoconferencing for Multiple Campuses

The academic institution where I teach is comprised of a chain of for-profit technical colleges throughout the Southern United States. If there was ever a need for instructors to come together and hash out new teaching strategies or tips for classroom management, this is all made possibly through videoconferencing. Schools can save money and will have an opportunity to team up with colleagues who show great promise in their classrooms and with their curriculum.

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Online Teaching Using Moodle

At my institution, online instructors are expected to host discussions using discussion boards as part of the required attendance of each student. Students must create a post themselves and then reply to posts from three other students. This back-and-forth interaction creates camaraderie, fosters teamwork, and promotes active engagement with the course material.

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Using Technology in a Non-Majors Biology Course

Over the past few terms, I have noticed an increase in student understanding and retention when it comes to properly dissecting frogs. The idea of using a virtual biology lab came to me after I noticed that students struggled to identify the major organs of the frog system simply based on lecture notes. By requiring the completion of a virtual lab prior to the actual lab (in-class using real tools) it reaffirms to each student their own comprehension. Students show more enthusiasm and energy when they arrive to class and are ready to go. Technology and Biology make an excellent… >>>

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Multiple, Simultaneous Problems

Has anyone ever experienced a classroom that was filled with multiple disruptions within the same time period? This would probably be a nightmare scenario to deal with; however, I wonder if the lessons learned throughout this module could help diffuse the situation. As we were taught, we must be proactive with the discipline when it comes to one problem student, but what if you have several of them in the same class? At this point, should you stop the entire class and speak to them as a group or individually. Worst case scenario, you are forced to finish the class… >>>

Jose Medina

Discussion Comment

Rapid Response Time

It is imperative that instructors respond and provide feedback to students in a timely manner. If not, students will develop anxiety or worse might decide to drop out of the class. If we expect students to complete all classwork/homework on time, then instructors should be immediate in their response times.