Ask-Dr-Kirk

Road Trip To Georgia

2009-11-04T09:35:32-05:00

I'm off to Savannah, Georgia, to teach a faculty development workshop at Savannah State University on Friday. The university's website states its goal is "a 'value added' education, resulting from classroom interactions, co-curricular activities, quality instruction, internships, practicum, research, and the infusing of technology into the curriculum...Thus, in addition to topics of teaching effectiveness and classroom management, I'll discuss using educational technology such as blogs, wikis, and Twitter in the classroom.

I'm looking forward to it.

Accent The Positive

2009-11-03T08:22:00-05:00

Tom Vander Well writes on quality assurance and recently gave the following advice to call center employees:

If you're working the phones today, I'd encourage you to keep a note pad or sticky-note on your desk. Each time you have a pleasant, friendly customer - jot down a hash mark or write the customer's name on your sheet. When one of those negative customers comes along, look down at your sheet and refresh your memory of all the pleasant customers you've talked with.

Sometimes it takes a conscious effort to see the glass half full.

I'm thinking this is excellent advice for us as teachers also...

The Teaching Professor Has A Blog

2009-11-02T08:33:00-05:00

Check this out: The Teaching Professor has a blog with lots of free information on teaching and learning here.

Help In Putting Together That Tenure And Promotion Document

2009-10-29T08:15:00-04:00

I recently turned in my 49 page application (not counting supporting materials) for tenure and promotion to Full Professor at the University of South Florida in Sarasota.

Came across these helpful resources as I was going through the process that I thought I would share.

Professor David Silver (University of San Francisco) talks through his narrative on service.

Dr. Fred Yaffe (Dean, College of Arts and Science, University of La Verne) shares this paper on putting together promotion and tenure portfolios. Download Promotion and tenure portfolios

Creative Student Projects

2009-10-27T12:48:58-04:00

Digital Storytelling is a method educators could use to give students a creative way to express themselves. One way to do that is to have students digitally tell about a movie or book in one minute, using music, costumes, sound effects, etc. Check out this one minute video done by students on Forrest Gump.

Found this via Dr. Strange who linked to Dr. Alec Couros’ student, Amy Perrey’s blog. What other ways could students use digital storytelling?

Professor Ranked #3 Of Top Jobs in America

2009-10-26T08:30:00-04:00

Money magazine in their November 2009 issue has ranked Professor as #3 in their list of the 50 best jobs in America. One of the major reasons was the flexibility that faculty have in planning their work schedules. I would have to agree that this is one of the reasons I love my job!

How To Turn Around A Toxic Classroom

2009-10-23T08:30:00-04:00

Interesting comments on what to do to turn around a toxic classroom.

Here are some more suggestions:

How to handle disrespectful students

Zero Tolerance policy

How to get respect from your students

Trust me. Your students want you to be in charge.

Free Art History Web-book

2009-10-21T08:38:00-04:00

Here's a free multi-media source for art teachers "designed as a dynamic enhancement (or even substitute) for the traditional art history textbook" by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker.

It's an interesting site for anyone interested in Art.

Good Thinks.

2009-10-20T08:30:00-04:00

I'm reading over a paper on which a student discusses his future plans. At the end, he typed, "Good thinks will come."

My first thought was to get out my red pen and circle the typo.

However, maybe he's planning to do some excellent thinking in the future?

Thoughts On Teaching

2009-10-19T08:20:00-04:00

This is my 28th year of teaching at the college level. I didn’t originally plan to be a college professor; in fact, after earning my MBA, I worked in industry for a number of years. In 1982 I moved to Texas and decided to apply for an adjunct position at a community college, mainly because the campus was less than a mile from my house. The surprise for me was that I found out that I loved teaching. I had no idea what I was doing, obviously had never put together a syllabus, lecture notes, or relevant assignments before, but I knew from the first class that this was the career I wanted. After I taught for three years there, the provost suggested I go back to school and earn a Ph.D. in order to teach full-time.

Over the years, I have developed the following list of goals when determining the course design, assignments, and evaluation methods I use in my courses.

What am I trying to do in my classes?
• Help students integrate the knowledge they have already acquired with the concepts, methods, ideas, and theories of management. This is done by helping them see the interrelationships between psychology, sociology, political science, history, ethics, philosophy, literature, etc.
• Give students a sound background and foundation of the history of management in order to help them understand how various theories were developed and tested and why these theories have either been discarded or are still in use today.
• Develop a common body of knowledge in management terminology.
• Emphasize importance of management concepts not only to management majors but to anyone who works with others in organizations.
• Teach students the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable them to do well in their chosen careers. At times, this includes short lessons in professionalism and corporate etiquette.
• Help students develop an understanding of others with different backgrounds, cultures, genders, capabilities, etc. through the use of videos, reaction papers, classroom discussions, and guest speakers.
• Develop assignments that require the students to practice communication skills, both written and oral. I give each student individual feedback on his or her presentation skills and how to improve these.
• Work on developing skills in team building, leadership, motivation, quality control, listening, consensus building, creativity, and flexibility.
• Understand the importance of humor in the classroom and in the workplace.
• Give prompt feedback on tests, papers, and presentations. Typically that means within one week of when the assignment is turned in.
• Use current technology such as blogs, wikis, and other social media formats in order to show the students how these could be applied to the work world setting. Make sure I keep up-to-date on technology myself.
• Provide “real-world” exposure through assignments such as interviewing a manager or working with a company on management-related problems.
• Reinforce values of attendance, promptness, turning work in on time, treating others with respect, and professionalism in appearance and conduct.

In other words, I am trying to create a classroom culture that will challenge, motivate, sometimes even frustrate students, but which allows them to learn not only about management but about themselves if they want to. I believe this is an ongoing process and thus, I am still developing my philosophy of teaching and what it means to be an educated person.

One of the secrets to success that I share with my students is to pick a career that you really love, so much so that you really enjoy going to work. I tell them that way you will be intrinsically motivated to do your best every day. I have enjoyed teaching for the past 28 years and hope to continue for many years to come.