Monique Castillo

Employers consistently identify the need for students to function at higher levels than these. Teachers serve their students more effectively when they provide students the opportunity to do more than just remember and understand basic facts and skills. Employers are looking for graduates who can use basic knowledge to get things done, to recognize relationships and to use information in new ways to address challenges.

The difference between a Baby Boomer parent and his Net Generation child might be illustrated by what happens when they are watching an episode of the television show Jeopardy together. When the Final Jeopardy clue is revealed, the Baby Boomer parent racks his brain to try to come up with the answer, and provides a justification for his choice. His Net Generation child simply uses a smartphone to find the answer. Both feel a sense of accomplishment whether they recalled or found the correct solution.

Empathy and high standards are not mutually exclusive. There should be consequences for missing class or missing a deadline, but those consequences should be measured and appropriate to the type of students one teaches. Perhaps a few points taken off the first few tardy assignments will have the same impact as giving a zero. 

I learned about all the different avenues for technological communication with students from social media to mainstream platforms. 

Presentations found on SlideShare are often used to conduct research and connect with others to collaborate on projects; users have the option of uploading content publicly or privately, so information can be shared with a small class or with students and educators from around the world. 

Even though you want your students to use a variety of different materials in the classroom, you must still introduce only what is necessary and will help you accomplish lesson plan objectives. You should not use resource materials that are inappropriate for your subject.

Taking in the big picture of what you are going to select for course content is important if you are going to make sure that your content is both foundational and progressive.

Documenting your lesson plans by placing them in proper order in a binder with dividers, tabs, and labels can make it easier for you to refer to the information without having to open up a document on your computer in the middle of class. In summary, print off and save your lesson plans and unit plans, you never know when you will need them.

Preparing for and creating lesson plans begins with simply deciding what is necessary and needs to be taught to your students. 

It is always better to talk directly with a student about an assignment. You then can make a decision on whether to accept the assignment late or to give the student a zero. The student will appreciate your interest in their work whether they hand in that assignment or not.