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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

late assignments

As an instructor, I give plenty of time to complete assignments. I understand that students have other obligations, work and family, but in the "real world" a deadline is a deadline. If it's not complete, its a zero.

Ideas and Ways to maintain a professional image

Quality of Work It’s obvious that in order to be considered a professional by clients and peers, you need to work hard and be good at what you do. I consider this to be the foundation for your entire image. Responsiveness and Customer Service The level of importance you place on your clients is an important element of creating a professional persona. Some facets of responsiveness and customer service may include: Being willing to go the extra mile to make your clients happy Responding to e-mail and phone messages promptly Following up with clients after a project to ask for their feedback Being willing to make recommendations and offer solutions to problems Accountability Holding yourself accountable can be challenging at times, but if you do it successfully, you will gain the respect of others. This means that although you should take credit and celebrate successes, you also need to face your role in any failures and shortcomings, without excuses. Overall Presentation Essentially, your presentation is responsible for making a solid first impression and getting potential clients moved to the next level. This can be your web site, marketing materials, proposals and project plans, portfolio, voicemail message, e-mail signature, your look and voice when you meet with clients, and any element that puts you in front of your prospects. Communication and Listening Ability The way you communicate, verbally and in written form, tells a lot about who you are and how you work. Being clear, concise, respectful and responsive is vital for success. And don’t forget about the importance of listening to your clients and taking the time to hear and understand what they are saying. Social Networking Personas While your profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, on your blog and other networking sites also play a role in your overall presentation, they deserve individual attention. What you say in those forums may feel informal and relaxed, but keep in mind that these outlets can work against you if you’re not being consistently professional and genuine. Reputation Although sometimes we’d all like to ignore what others think of us, your reputation can go a long way in supporting (or hurting) your professional image. That’s why it’s so important to treat others with respect and honesty, even if you would never consider working or collaborating with them. These are the factors that I focus on as part of my professional image, and I try to keep each one consistent with the others. What elements would you add to this list that help you present yourself as a professional?

Tips for managing student behavior

Tips for Managing Student Behavior October 27th, 2008 by TC Bear Any experienced teacher will know good discipline does not just happen all at once. Managing student behavior is a learned skill, but classroom control will begin before the students even enter the classroom. Managing student behavior is no easy task. Each teacher will develop his or her own form of discipline. Remember that students need to feel valued and welcomed. They need to know that you have an honest interest in each one of them, not only as a class, but also as individuals. For good discipline, certain behaviors are necessary on the part of the teacher: Be consistent; establish the rules and stick to them. Consequences should be fair and consistently applied. Be prepared for the students who will test the rules. Do not threaten students with a consequence unless you are ready to carry it out. Students will view you as inconsistent if you fail to do what you say. Do not be judgmental; look at each situation from all angles before you designate a consequence. Never put off discipline. Handle any behavioral problem when it occurs. Make sure students understand the rules and the consequences. Students need to know how to behave in any given situation. With some students, you may want to do role-playing at the beginning of the school year. In this way, students will see what is expected of them and see the consequences being applied. Show a true interest in all of the students. Each one needs to be treated as an individual and with respect, not just another student. When giving praise to any student, use his or her name with the praise. Nothing pleases students more than to hear their names used in a good light. Implement well-planned lessons. Know what you are going to teach and be well prepared. Allow for flexibility. There will be many interruptions in a school year; you will not accomplish everything that is planned on a particular day.

How can one capture student attention

Melissa Harris-Lacewell from Princeton University was the keynote speaker at the 2009 OPID Spring Conference in Milwaukee. She stated,"If we want to capture our students' attention, we have to be more engaging than email or porn." Your thoughts???

What is a good policy for accepting late assignments?

There are a lot of ways of handling late homework submissions, of which I've only tried a few. The general policy I've settled on is something like the following. Homework must be submitted at the beginning of class on the day it's due. Late homework is not accepted. This is pretty harsh, I think. But with this policy in place, I make unofficial exceptions on a case-by-case basis (it's easier to start with an overly harsh policy and make exceptions in the students' favour than the other way around), for example, if a student happens to be late to class on a day that homework is due. I want students to be motivated to hand in their work on time. Highly motivated. That's why I make the official policy so strict. But I feel bad about actually adhering to such draconian measures (they should get zero for missing the bus?), which is why I make exceptions. But overall, I'm dissatisfied with the ad hoc nature of this approach. How can I motivate students to submit homework by the deadline without being "overly harsh"?

Reducing Clutter

I think the more cluttered your office becomes, the more you become unorganized and insecure about fulfilling your task for the day or week. I have lots of clutter on my desk and it is not because I want it that way, but it is because I really do not have the time during the day to regroup and reflect on my task at hand, so it just becomes another piece of paper on my desk.

Instructor Personality Types

If an Instructor's personality lends itself to a certain style of teaching, how can the instructor resist the temptation to slip back into using that style even if it's less productive.

Late Assignments and the Relationship to the Working World

I found the comparison of having assignment deadlines to reenforce the concept of deadlines at work to be helpful. It is a good comparison to give students, especially in a trade school.

classroom management

I have to say this probably has been of the best lessons I have taken. I am so excited to start our next term. I think sometimes we all take for granted our teaching styles. This really woke me up

Imterest in material

How to keep all students interested in the topic.

Cheating

When a student is caught cheating whether they admit to it or deny it should they be given a second chance?

Teaching Insights

No matter how much of rush we as instructors may be we have to be sure to find time to communicate with our students so that they won't feel neglected nor that we ruin their excitement of the program.

Explanation of CourseProcedure

I have found that letting each individual student know on day one of what is expected from them will minimize problems later within a course. If they know your homework policy, test policy, attendance policy up front you usually will not have a problem. Although I know there will be the occasional reminding needed done for the most part when you make it clear from the beginning what you expect of them and what they will be learning, usually everything works out perfectly. I think when a student does not know the expectations from course to course then that is when trouble will arise. That is why each new student I gain receives the Classroom Etiquette paper work and I highlight key points and what is expected from day one. Once they receive their uniforms and I.D. badges they are expected to wear them each time we meet. Most students have jobs already so they are aware of the importance of following the attire protocol. I also highlight attendance which is a huge non-compliance issue for many students, but I also give every student my contact information and receive theirs on the first day of class, so they know that the communication will be equal from both parties. Now how should I go about handling a student who feels they do not have to reach out to me if they will not be in class, since I mention how much communication will play a huge role while they are taking the course?

firstday

When i have a new group of students, who are just getting to their electives, i like to refresh their knowledge of the class rule and procedures. i find this helps with some confusion that some students have.

styles of classroom management/ the guide vs. controller

Guides and controllers are the two learning styles to me are the most effective. I prefer to be the "guide by the side" than a "sage on the stage. the buddy learning style could possibly be effective determined by the audience. what do you think?

Professional Dress

Should your place of employment dictate what you should wear?

Text Messenging In Class

How can text messenging be decrease in class.

Environment conducive for learnig

What measures can be initiated in the classroom to enhance the learning process.

The mean girl

I currently have a student who is noticeably low on self esteem and confidence. She does the joky random comments during class to cover her lack of confidence. Lately, other students have come to me stating that she is talking about others and disparaging others outside of class in an attempt to be the "in crowd". I have not witnessed this, but am trying to figure out how to address the "bullying" issue, because it is affecting other students now.

Positive reinforcement

How to provide positive reinforcement prior to test taking.