Dr. J's Blog

Do you have any students who are at risk for failure now? Is the performance of any of your students declining?

If I were to ask you which students in your class were likely to fail, the easiest indicator would be grades as it offers evidence of students who are not making considerable progress. As most educators know, grades present only one aspect of the learning process and it is still possible that any student can be at risk for failure, even those students who are peak performers. While some students can excel, regardless of classroom conditions, most experience fluctuations in their performance throughout their academic journey. It takes someone who is actively engaged in their class and working with their students to know when someone is starting to struggle,...

Are you planning your professional development goals? Would you like to continue to advance your skills as an educator, without having to pay the high costs of conference fees or take the time necessary to attend seminars? Even finding time to schedule webinars can be challenging as well.

As an educator you gain significant experience on the job just by working with students. However, there are basics of adult education you can continue to learn and gain new perspectives about which can further enhance your teaching strategies. When you invest in your ongoing professional development, the returns are immediate as the knowledge produces new strategies, methods, and ways of teaching, interacting, and communicating with your students. It is of benefit for you and your students....

Do you feel knots in your stomach the moment you begin your work day? Does the phone ring and you immediately dread answering it? Or does your workday begin fairly well but become progressively worse, especially as the week continues and the demands never seem to let up?

There are many circumstances on the job that can have an adverse impact on performance, from poor working conditions to numerous responsibilities and an over-extended schedule. But there is one condition that can arise as a result of not responding well to circumstances, which can have a negative effect on a person's well-being, and that is the condition known as stress. While it may seem that there is not much more to be said about this topic, given how extensively the subject of stress management has...

Do you wait for students to ask questions or seek assistance when you notice they have missed assignments or they are not performing well with discussions or written assignments? Or are you proactive in your approach to instruction and actively reaching out to those students who need your assistance?

It may seem students should want the help of their instructors, especially when they are struggling with course topics, assignments, and meeting deadlines. But the reality is that this is not usually the case and as most educators know, students may even resist the very idea of asking for help and prefer to give up when faced with a challenge. This can occur even when an instructor has done everything possible to encourage students to speak up. For example, I observed many...