The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do
A suggested reading from Linda Rae, former CIE secretary. This piece was inspired by a heated discussion I had with a man who believes that teachers have an easy job. Please feel free to share it with others if you agree with the message. I used to be a molecular...
Jigsaws in the Classroom?
The jigsaw technique is a collaborative learning strategy that was developed in the early 1970s by Elliot Aronson, a well-known psychologist and co-author with Carol Tavris of Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me). The jigsaw technique divides the class into groups—often...
Guiding student preparation – a journey
When I began teaching in 2002, I was surprised to find so many students coming to class without completing (often, without even starting) their reading assignments. Why didn't they read? How could they expect to succeed? Further, what should I do? Were my expectations...
Searching for the Somatic (Week 3)
My writings involve movement descriptions taken from my classroom. I am trying to bring the reader into a dance classroom to catch a glimpse of movement education. (Please note: I will be sharing this information at the Wellness Expo, hosted by NMC's Phi Theta...
Writing Back In Time
Writing Back In Time By Brian Sweeney I spent 3 years teaching physics and math to first and second year college students. I then spent 5 years teaching math to high-school students in dual enrollment classes. I found that, in general, the focus of personal...
“Food” for Tech Help
Notice: Effective immediately; there has been a slight change to receiving assistance form Educational Media Technologies personnel. We ask that you donate a can or boxed item for every technical question we assist you with or idea we inspire you with. This new "can...
Time To Reflect on Competency-based Learning
At the November Faculty Friday Forum sponsored by NMC’s Center for Instructional Excellence, four questions about competency-based learning were posted. As I struggled to organize responses to this hot topic into a meaningful context, Mark DeLonge suggested Jimmy...
The Joy of Public Speaking
There's been a commercial on TV recently about glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking. It's an advertisement for a new Google tablet, which does seem pretty cool, but the message about overcoming speech anxiety is even cooler. Watch it now: Google Nexus 7...
How Much is Too Much?
I find myself struggling with the technology question, how much is too much. Or, more realistically, how much is the right amount. I am a stickler for working out a problem yourself, but there are some problems I like to assign that are too time consuming, or the...
Accessibility – Testing Accommodations
I am often stopped and asked a variety of questions regarding the students with disabilities (SWD) here at NMC. Many of those questions revolve around the approved accommodations. In the next several editions of this column I’ll share some of those in a Q & A...