Rick Costello

Discussion Comment

Diversionary tactics- the means to the end

I, as well as any instructor/professor have discovered that the days prior to a holiday are a huge challenge regarding attention span of the students. If you notice that the attention level of the class is waning, begin one on one questions directed to the students. Adrenalin starts to flow when a question is posed to a certain student who then has to formulate an answer. Students then focus on his answer (or lack of a proper answer). Every instructor has had "the back row students".

Rick Costello

Discussion Comment

Arriving early to class

Goal orientation has to be an objective of all instructors/professors if they want to succeed. Arriving early for proper preparation is absolutely essential for topic delivery of the day. Review, define objectives, and delivery of said objectives is imperitive. A student may be tested periodically, the instructor/professor is tested EVERY DAY. Utilization of extra time before class can also be used to tutor a student who may be struggling with a certain precept. I, as an instructor have not failed if I have extended every learning tool that I may have to the students.

Rick Costello

Discussion Comment

Lecture, lab, and kinesthetics

Approaching 12 years with this institution, and 32 years in the industry, I've learned that when working with students who posess a wide diversity of learning skills, it is necessary to change your style of teaching almost every class period. Assuredly, it is a luxury to have a class that understands, conforms, and runs, as I say, "like a Swiss watch". These classes are few and far between as we know. It is necessary to maintain eye contact: you can detect if what you've just presented results in "the deer in the headlight" look. Analogies are crucial in this case,… >>>

Rick Costello

Discussion Comment

Surreptitious use of texting/cellphone use in the classroom

During a discussion with a friend who is a professor at a medical college in Wisconsin, I mentioned the fact that it is accepted behavior amoung the students to use their electronic devices during my lectures, and asked for his opinion on the subject. He stated that the problem has become quite epidemic to the point that his college has gone to the extreme by using paint on the walls of the lecture hall which is RF proof, that is, no signals in or out. I find it quite unnerving that even though I stipulate on the first day of… >>>

Rick Costello

Discussion Comment

Instilling confidence

I have found that reassurance and the use of mnemonics during my electronics lectures can ease my students' fears of the "unknown". Via the careful use of reiteration during lectures, the exam scores soar, which directly elevate the confidence level; i.e. a very strong tool in the learning process. Analogies are also quite supportive. For the problematic cases, nothing is better than the "one on one" tutoring. Relating to the right to privacy laws, how does one recognize and handle an ADD, ADHD student without blatency? Short attention spans are not always earmarks.