Mary Jane AlvisCHEP

Location: miller-motte technical college - lynchburg, va

About me

Mary Jane Alvis

The Lesson Planning Class brings back memories of when I first started teaching. We have to remember that students have different learning styles and we as instructors have to do what it takes to reach as many of the learning styles in each lesson as possible.

Interests

teaching, farming

Skills

business teacher, microsoft office, finance

Activity

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Reason for using the touch method when learning the Keyboard

I have found if the students know the rationale behind using a certain method to learn an item then the students will put forth twice as much effort when trying to learn subject. Students want to know how they will use what they are learning in their chosen career.

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Knowing your students is a key component in lesson planning

In technical school I use "Tell me about yourself." I start off by telling them about myself and that I teach full-time in a high school setting, sponsor PBIS Team and FBLA.I also tell them that I have three grown children and six grandchildren. I also give the life history of my family which they can relate. Now I have each student tell about their families,where they work, job experience, high school from which they graduated, hobbies, interest, and what they have heard about the class. This helps me to plan subject content as well as to pace the class… >>>

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Retention

Students need to be given the facts using lecture, class discussion, PowerPoint presentation, and guided notes. The next day have an activity that reviews the prior class objectives. Now the instructor can see what has been mastered and what needs to have more work. Then I would make a simulation that encompasses both today's and yesterday's new material.

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Reflecting

Students will complete an activity/simulation then go back and ask the questions: Would I do the activity/simulation the same way? Would I try another process to complete the same activity/simulation? This I hope will help the students to think about what learning that took place in the classroom.

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Personal Space

Every student needs to have his/her own personal space. Students tend not to do well if they do have seating/space challenges in the classroom. I like for my classroom to be bright and the walls full of influential sayings that will provoke critical thinking about the career that most of my students may enter.

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Your Spoken Word

I have found in my Document Processing/Word/PowerPoint/Spreadsheet classes that the first most important part of learning is developing two-way communication. I try to get to know my students as soon as possible--which means their interest inside and out-side of school. If they participate in an event I try to attend and then mention something positive about the event in the next class session. The students really appreciate me taking my time to attend most of their events. I also try to apply every learning experience in class to their interest which really helps the students see the purpose for learning… >>>

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking in Principles of Management

By taking this class I am going to teach the four basic processes in management--planning, organizing, executing, and evaluating; then I will divide the class in groups in which each group will plan, organize, execute, and evaluate their social activity for the night student body. I will plant some difficult customers in each activity so the students must use critical thinking to remember that customers gives them their pay check. The students will have to think quickly ways to please.

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Most Important Soft Skill

At my school the most important soft skill is being a team player. We have the High 5's which all faculty needs to get on board because it brings a unitified student body.The High 5's are: Attendance, Positive Attitude, Dress Code, Respect, and School Spirit. We have incentives in place to motivate the students to acheive. As a faculty we work together on community projects such as Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Glenning for the World, Food Banks, Animal Shelters, etc.to demomstrate how to give back to the community. Lots of time students really get involved in the projects… >>>

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Reaching a classroom of multiple intelligences

I introduce a new topic using guided note taking,then I use a PowerPoint Presentation to make sure the students get the main points and to reach the visual learners;then I use role playing if possible to act out the situation; and finally I ask a students to paraphase the presentation. Sometimes I give each student an envelop at the beginning of class. They are not to look in the envelop before or during the lecture. After the lecture we review the lecture using the preset questions. This has worked very well because the students do not know what their question… >>>

Mary Jane Alvis CHEP

Discussion Comment

Learner Autonomy

Most adult learners want to direct themselves and in many cases determine their learning path. They want to be actively involved in the learning process; therefore, I give some simulations in the beginning of a new class so the students can see that what they are learning is applicable to their choosen career. Near the end of the class the students will be allowed to choose from several projects to complete which directly relates to their choosen career.

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