Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Question of the Week Jan. 14-18

How has the start of this semester compared with the start of the previous semester? What did you do similarly? Why? What have you done differently? Why?

The start of this semester has been much better for several reasons. First of all, administration has itself in a better shape and we don't have all the mass exodus of students due to schedule changes. These were handled before the break for the most part. I am better organized and I know my students better so I have had an easier transition. I don't feel like I'm talking to a bunch of strangers anymore! I have pretty much done everything similarly as what I did last semester.

The one thing I have done differently is to split up my pretest over the whole first week instead of giving a 200 question test in 3 days. I'm finding the grades to be much higher and the students retaining more information just from the test itself. I had even challenged them that if anyone could pass my pretest with a 70% or above, I'd give them $20. So far, I've had one student do that! She is also the same student who became the first ever to break my "challenge". This is where they purposely miss every single question on the test. This shows that they really do know the material. If they miss even one question on the challenge, they fail their test. They like this option (for those who think they can do it) and I give them $20 if they can. So far, I've spent $40 and I'm hoping to have more do it this semester!!

6 comments:

JaJuan said...

Hey,can I take the PRE-TEST? I need some gas money! I want to try my luck. My students would think your last name is TRUMP with offering $20....I've done something similar to this and they went bananas over $5 bucks..LOL

Perry said...

Yall must make more than we do up here in the sticks. :)

jjumack said...

Do you have a monetary limit to the challenge ? I have given my students incentives ( Flaming Cheetos or Capri Suns ) for class participation. They bicker over the winners of these items. I would probably have a "riot", if I gave $ 20.00.Excellent way to keep the students engaged. (smile )

Julie J. said...

It's not a matter that I make more money than ya'll. It has nothing to do with that! :) I have to put a high enough price on it for these kids to want to try to do this. If I only offered $5, none of them would even try. I have only had one person to ever do this so so far it hasn't broke my bank yet! If I start having a bunch of people win, I'll have to rethink my strategy.

Jessie H said...

Can I take the Pre-Test too? I like your idea. It's innovative, and I bet it gets our students motivated right off the bat.

My husband was a terrible student in high school, particularly in math. Then, he became a carpenter. I asked him how he managed to learn carpentry with such poor math skills, and he told me that it all made sense once he realized he could make money by applying math [to construction]. I think he was a typical poorly motivated student. Students who are not intrinsically motivated need teachers who can inspire them by creating tangible external rewards for their efforts and achievements.

Dr. J said...

Julie,
Hold on to your hat! You are going to learn a lot about testing this semster you can implement. It is going to be fun working together in EDBT 4250 on this. Dr. J.