Sandra Goddard

This module is about evaluating student progress - both formative (at each stage along the way) and summative (at the end of the course). There are different methods for evaluating student growth - objective and subjective, both of which need to be valid, measurable, and reliable. Determining the correct method depends on the skills that need to be assessed. Are the skills to be assessed technical (like testing dental hygiene students on instrumentation) or critical thinking skills (problem solving, treatment planning, etc)? Feedback to students should be supportive and substantive - encouraging and meaningful. 

There is so much valuable information in this module about asking questions. Asking questions is a good way to check your students' understanding of the concepts being taught. Questions should be placed to get a bit of information, and each of the following questions should build on on the information obtained from the prior answers. When asking questions, the instructor needs to give the students time to formulate an answer and respond. When students are responding to questions or asking questions, the instructor should give full attention to the student. I am considering how I can incorporate all of these… >>>

There are four basic learning styles - auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and written. While everyone has their preferred learning style, most people can learn through other styles. The classroom lecture is ideal for auditory learners; visual learners find PowerPoint presentations beneficial; taking notes is helpful for those who need to write things down; and kinesthetic learners learn through doing. Since there are likely to be students who favor multiple learning styles in any given class, it is important to change up the teaching methods in order to reach all of your students. For example, use lecture with PowerPoint, use hands on… >>>

This module covered situations that might arise after students have entered the workplace - both short term issues and long term issues. In both cases the student can apply the five keys to success to evaluate the possible conflicts: be dependable, make a valuable contribution, acting like part of a team, grow in your job, and present your best professional self. Students can discuss possible conflicts such as being late for work (or calling out sick), working and being productive while on the clock, being honest with coworkers, accepting feedback from the supervisor, and making sure they are following the… >>>

This module is about preparing for an interview. It covered everything from dressing appropriately, effective and positive communication, body language, preparing for interviewer questions, and making a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Reviewing all these elements helps the student not only be prepared, but feel more comfortable with the interview process. Different classroom exercises were discussed such as identifying proper (or improper) attire, formulating answers to common interview questions, watching videos to critique presentation (spoken as well as body language), conducting mock interviews, and researching the company that the student is interviewing with. 

You can help student get prepared to start their job search by thinking about what type of work they might like to do or if there is a particular company they would like to work for. They can research what duties or skills are needed for the type of work they are interested in. If the student does not have much of a work history to build support their resume, they can identify skills and abilities that could be translated as experience, such as: strong work ethic, works well with others, stays calm under pressure, and problem solver. It is… >>>

The first step in a targeted job search is to determine what type of job or work interests the student. Then using their available resources, find out what the job entails, benefits, salary, etc. Search engines can help the student search for openings in their desired field. They can also work their contact, friends of contacts, etc. Sometimes it is helpful to make a chart to help organize and categorized the data. They can also visit companies that they are interested in working with and talk to a hiring manager or HR professional - introduce themselves, find out the best… >>>

This module was about ethical behavior in admissions couselling. Some of the most interesting concepts were illustrated in the Youtube videos (60 Minutes, etc) that had undercover cameras showing the pushy sales tactics of the admission counsellors. It is good to know that there is some regulation now that forces admission departments to be accountable for the statistics they are quoting potential students - especially regarding graduation rates, employability, and salaries. Having discussion groups among admission counsellors to discuss ethics vs pressure to enroll students, and how to handle difficult ethical decisions has been shown to bolster these employees and… >>>

When talking to potential students regarding their admissions concerns and questions, it is important to be prepared both as an individual and the environment. Each student needs to be assessed as to their level of preparation and understanding, as well as their preferred method of communication. Do they like lots of detail, or are they easily overwhelmed. It helps to be a good listener and reflect on the information they are communicating in order to craft an authentic and unscripted response. I think this translates to any career field, such as teaching, to find the best way to reach your… >>>

In this module I learned about how the admissions process and focus has changed over the decades. At one time the position was just transactional, then there was tendency to use sales tactics to get students to enroll. Now the focus is more on service - trying to answer questions, clarify information, and helping students find the right fit. With the internet and social media, students today come armed with lots of information (some accurate and some not). There are also differences between how different generations process information and like to communicate. Being aware of all these changes is importance… >>>