Roberta Vedders

Group projects are so important. Include students evaluating their peers and a self-evaluation of participation. The knowledge students gain during the project will stick. Students have individual strengths they can contribute. Presentation to class helps prepare them for professional roles.

It did my heart good when I read that the adult learner's attention span was, I believe 14-18 minutes. This far exceeds the attention span of new college-age students. :-)

I also appreciate the mini lecture concept with time for active learning and the different ways to handle student questions in class.

Beginning day of a class I usually have quite a "to do" list. I appreciated the advice to not rush at the end to finish the list, but to carry on with the list the next time class meets.

I appreciate the emphasis on how the getting to know each other will enhance the class. 

Comment on Lynne Gigliotti's post: 

Lynne, I am a checklist person by nature. My class checklist is often my outline to be sure I cover everything. Then if I teach the same course the next semester, I have the outline to revise so I don't have to "reinvent the wheel". :-)

In my past teaching, I did arrive at class early but did not greet each student as they came in. Generally, students would congregate around me wherever I was at beginning and end of class to ask questions. Often, due to a tight classroom schedule, the students and I would be outside the classroom waiting for the previous class to exit. I will experiment with this concept as I begin teaching at this workplace.

Comment on Christina Perry's post: 

I love this concept too, Christina. In my former teaching position, one of the most frequent comments was that I was real. Without saying too much, students appreciate knowing that we as faculty also have to manage challenges and that we are not pretending to be perfect individuals with everything in perfect order.

Comment on Ivan Phipps's post: 

Ivan, I also appreciated these points. The longer I teach, the more I realize it is not about me but about those I am involved with.

Comment on Michelle DeJong's post: 

So far in ED 101 I have particularly appreciated the distinction between friend and pal. I have seen detrimental outcomes from instructors trying to be "pals".

Another aspect I appreciate is the importance to remind students how far they have come. I understand more how encouraging this is, especially to students on the fast track who are in survival mode.