Volume XXXIII, No. 2 | January 28, 2011 Imagine That! Immanuel Kant proposed that mathematics requires two things: imagination and rigorous logic. Instructors of college numerical math (from here on “numerical math” refers to those college courses traditionally labeled developmental or remedial, including pre-algebra) tend not to get much chance to use imagination [...]

Volume XXXIII, No. 1 | January 21, 2011 WRITING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: ABC’s OF STUDENT ATTRIBUTES All of us are asked to write letters of recommendation. Often the request comes at a time when we lack the time to give it the time and attention it requires. Several years ago, I started work [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 29 | December 3, 2010 Building Bonds with Students I begin each new semester by creating a “contract” with students. I ask them to help me generate a list of “what makes an excellent teacher.” My introduction goes like this: “If you’re like me, you’ve had many teachers in your [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 28 | November 19, 2010 Making Connections in Literature What happens when a classroom full of business and math majors, after a lesson on short fiction, still cannot connect the dots? What is the protagonist anyway, and why are both round and flat characters necessary in moving a story forward? [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 27 | November 12, 2010 Speech Critiques: Using Social Media to Encourage Self-Evaluation Activity Background In 1969, Andy Warhol said, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Who needs 15 minutes? With social media and wireless digital devices, fame is constant. College students have immediate access to [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 27 | November 12, 2010 Creating Web Pages for Traditional, Seated Courses Students often look to the Internet as a way to supplement the information found in their standard textbooks. The strategy of “just Google it” is typical of today’s Internet-savvy undergraduate. Virtually all students can benefit from using such [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 26 | November 5, 2010 Preview Reviews: Bringing a Movie Theater Practice into the Classroom Preview Reviews can be used in any class, in any discipline, at any level of any size. They provide an opportunity for students to gauge their level of content knowledge in a non-graded, low-stakes activity [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 25 | October 29, 2010 Opportunities for an Amazing Professional Life Are you looking for excitement, meaning, scholarship, and excellence? Then leadership in professional development is for you. If you believe that student learning is at the core of teaching, then get involved in a campus learning community with your [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 24 | October 22, 2010 Reflection: An Adjunct’s Experience I had gathered my supplies before I left my house: textbook…check, pens and pencils…check, class notes… check (double check). I looked at the time and noticed that if I didn’t get a move on I was going to be late for [...]

Volume XXXII, No. 23 | October 15, 2010 Bridging the Gap Between Student Services and Faculty A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my office and received a phone call from a co-worker who worked in student services. As an English instructor, I had received these phone calls in the past. He [...]