PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

CHANGE (Nov/Dec 2008) arrived this week and contains articles on: musings about quality by Peter Ewell, hitting the rankings jackpot, higher education funding disconnect, improving communications is everyone's responsibility, new approaches to public disclosure, stewardship of practice in education (PhD. or Ed.D.?), comparative assessment of higher-order thinking skills.  It also includes some shorter pieces on visual literacy, higher education and the American dream, and what the baby boomers as faculty will leave behind.    If you would like to be included on the routing list for this number of CHANGE, let Paul Jacobson know.

The Professor in the Classroom, 15:6 arrived this week and is in the wall pockets.  It's entitled "When Students Come to You for Help" and suggests five actions that help to make the best use of their (and your) time, create a positive learning experience and set the stage for meaningful future interactions.  My favorite is: "Remember that the student came to you and therefore your focus should be on the student's needs and desires first."  A little probing about the reasons for the student dropping in helps set the stage for a more effective visit.  

EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE TEACHING CERTIFICATE--FACULTY COMPLETE SEMINAR 

 St. Ambrose University recently became a member of the Quad-City Professional Development Network.  This consortium offers seminars open to SAU faculty on a limited basis.  The consortium offers a certificate program in "Excellence in College Teaching" and its first offering was held at Black Hawk College on Nov. 8.  Six SAU faculty members attended the first workshop.  The SAU faculty are: Bill Hitchings, Elisa Huff, Christine Urish, John Madsen, Susan Weir and Sandra Quinn.  Ask them how they enjoyed the program and see if you might be interested in attending the next one.  I hope to have a report next week from some of those who attended the certificate seminar

Full information about the program and the consortium is available at the consortium website:  http://www.qcpdn.org .    Member institutions include Black Hawk, Eastern Iowa CCD, Palmer C. C., Western Illinois U. and St. Ambrose.  

It is expected that the workshops in this series will be repeated  on, perhaps, a yearly basis. 

THE PROFESSOR IN THE CLASSROOM TIP ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS 

When talking to students, there are two phrases you should avoid using: "See what I mean?" and "You know?" These two phrases irritate people--and for good reason. "See what I mean?" is a form of "talking down" to people. It inadvertently implies that the person you're speaking with doesn't understand or is not capable of comprehending what you're talking about. On the other hand, if you use the phrase "You know?" the person may not really know what you meant--but may be reluctant to admit it and may pull away from both you and what you are saying. Therefore, try to refrain from using both phrases, and you'll be a more effective communicator.

CTE PERIODICAL SUBSCRIPTIONS ALWAYS AVAILABLE