When the Teacher Becomes the Student
A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there's usually three sides to every story: his side, her side, and of course, the truth.This is something we must definitely keep in mind as teachers. As educators (especially professors), we have been accused of having the biggest egos on this side of Mount Rushmore. One of the quickest ways to burn out in education is to refuse to embrace change. Whether we want to admit it or not, life moves and changes constantly.Students are constantly exposed to material we once never dreamed existed. Ironically, although students are exposed to more, they typically know less and are less mature than the generations before.
However, that does not discredit the fact that students still bring a unique perspective to our classroom; it's through their eyes that we can become better teachers.One of my best strategies for maintaining a high level of motivation in the classroom came as a result of a technique I learned as a stockbroker and sales trainer. Rule #1 in sales is that in order to bring the customer to where you are (your level of understanding), you must first go to where they are (they're current level of understanding). In simple terms, you must know your customer (in this case, your student). This simple principle recharges and rejuvenates my batteries every semester; because the more I know, the more I grow.Relating this concept to the education arena, you must simply and clearly define your objectives and what you would like to see happen over the course of a semester (or even a brief interaction) with a student, and then you help your students to do the same. In other words, know where YOU want to go, help them find out where THEY want to go, and then come up with a strategy for both of you to get there.
In negotiating terms, they call this a win-win solution. Obviously, this strategy can only work if you value the student, and you believe he or she can make you a better teacher.For instance, during my first three years in education, I quickly realized that what I wanted and what students believe they needed were diametrically opposed to each other. However, after many personal talks with former students, I soon discovered that students weren't as concerned with the subject matter itself as they were with how the subject matter was being taught. They were more concerned with my attitude than the answers I would give them. This was a revelation.I came to the conclusion that, like a parent, my experience and education dictated that I was qualified to teach them what they needed to know to succeed.
However, when it came to how they received the information, I was totally at their mercy. Because, regardless of how good or important the subject matter is, if no one is listening, then no one is learning. It was at that point that I decided to "go to where they were" in order to bring them to where I was.I met individually and collectively with students to get their perspectives on the class. I asked them about what worked in class and what didn't? I asked them about what they would like to see more or less of? What would they like to see changed (about myself and/or the class)? I asked them if whether or not they would recommend this class to another student, why or why not? I asked them what would make the class more productive and more interesting? These questions can be asked in almost any work environment, for almost any department, not just in the classroom. I asked similar questions of my clients when I was in Corporate America.
All of the input I received, except for the individual meetings, were done anonymously. I can't begin to tell you how important this information has been to my career. But in less than a year after implementing this idea, I was nominated twice for the distinguished teaching award at my school (the youngest ever nominated). If you want to become a more productive educator in or outside of the classroom, the key is student input ? you must seek it. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again, but expecting different results.
If you listen to and solicit feedback from your students, you won't have to repeat the mistakes of the past. So value your students and their input; trust me, they hold the keys to your success..
Dr. Joe Martin is an award-winning speaker, author, professor, and educational consultant and owner ofNew Teacher Success. Visit http://www.newteachersuccess.com today!jmartin@rwuniversity.com
Did I Pack My Toothbrush? Getting Organized for Travel
For many of us summertime = vacation time. Some people will spend their days off at the local pool. Some may choose to sightsee in their own town. Many will leave behind the comforts of home for the open road. Regardless of the destination or mode of transportation, it is important to be organized for travel.A few benefits of being organized for travel:1.
Being organized will save you time.Having a copy of your packing list on the computer will cut down on the time used for re-creating it every time you travel.2. Being organized will save you money.Doing pre-travel shopping at home will save you big bucks (especially on film and batteries...) that might be otherwise be spent at a tourist trap.3. Being organized will save you stress.No need to stress while scrounging for your tickets and ID at the airport if all of your paperwork is organized in one place.Follow these organizing tips to keep your vacation a stress-free, time and money saving event:Plan ahead. Create a general itinerary...
Did I Pack My Toothbrush? Getting Organized for Travel
Batteries > Did I Pack My Toothbrush? Getting Organized for Travel
Wireless Home Security Systems
Home security systems are becoming a necessity with increasing break-ins. One needs to protect family members as well as their valued possessions. There are many kinds of home security systems which can have one or many kinds of devices working together. For centrally monitored security systems, there are options of choosing between wired and wireless security systems. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, along with the price factor.
The technology of wired and wireless systems is quite different.
Wireless systems do not require wiring throughout the house but send messages through radio signals to a central panel. In the beginning, wireless systems proved to be slightly unreliable as compared to wired systems. However, with more and more R & D, there seem to be no more dissatisfaction. Wireless security systems are very convenient to install as there is no need for wiring. This saves time, money and chaos of ripping floors and walls to place wires all over...
Wireless Home Security Systems
Batteries > Wireless Home Security Systems
Cell Phone Battery Life
Cell phones are available in a wide range of models and styles. Price ranges varying, making them affordable to practically everyone. Even the most basic models have certain unique features that depend on the manufacturer and make of the phone. More and more models have features such as Internet connection, digital camera, and wide display for viewing video. Cell phones are definitely an important accessory that makes life's fast, always on the go pace, easier to deal with.
Cell phones might be easy to use but might prove to be dangerous if not properly taken care of.
Batteries play a major role in operating a cell phone. All cell phones come equipped with a battery manufactured to suit that particular model or make. Although batteries manufactured by a particular company can fit into any model manufactured by the same company, interchanging is not a good idea, as it could dangerous if the fit is not perfect for that model.
A genuine cell phone battery...
Batteries > Cell Phone Battery Life
Texas Memory Systems Adds Redundant RAM to Reliability Features of the World?s Fastest Storage
Houston, TX (ContentDesk) June 6, 2005 -- Texas Memory Systems, makers of the World's Fastest Storage?, announced the availability of redundant RAM
("RAID-ed" memory) technology for its RamSan-325 solid state disk systems. The IBM? Chipkill? -based technology, helps Texas Memory Systems protect database and other business critical applications from serious multi-bit errors that can cause data corruption and unscheduled system downtime. Standard error correcting code (ECC) implementations correct single-bit errors but cannot correct the multi-bit errors that can result in data integrity issues. Chipkill technology is an order of magnitude more reliable because it allows a memory system to correct a multi-bit failure up to and including a total chip failure. As implemented on the RamSan-325 solid state disk, Chipkill works hand-in-hand with the existing ECC to provide this data protection.
"Although multi-bit data errors are extremely rare, an organizations most critical...
Texas Memory Systems Adds Redundant RAM to Reliability Features of the World?s Fastest Storage
Batteries > Texas Memory Systems Adds Redundant RAM to Reliability Features of the World?s Fastest Storage