An ongoing classroom management "problem" I have been encountering over the past 2 years has to do with a student who overshares in class to the extent that she sometimes makes other students (and myself) uncomfortable. She has difficulty understanding boundaries in terms of what is - and is not - appropriate information to share in a public setting. For instance, she has talked about her history with addiction, prostitution, and abuse. At times, her comments have been relevant to class discussions, but more often she takes the conversation off-topic and doesn't seem to know when to stop talking.
All 4 instructors in our program have experienced similar concerns, and each of us has tried to manage this student's over-sharing in our own classrooms. We have done this by talking to the student outside of class and trying to explain how certain topics are inappropriate and are "off limits" during class. At times, we have also tried to avoid asking her to share (although we don't want to thwart her classroom participation altogether), and we have provided her opportunities to share her experiences/feelings/emotions with us during office hours. We have also had private conversations with the student to ensure that she is receiving the support she may need from counseling, or other relevant, services. Faculty has discussed concerns during team meetings and brainstormed new ideas for addressing the issue. Towards the end of this school year, our Program Coordinator met with the student to create a "behaviour plan" for appropriate classroom conduct that the student was asked to agree to and sign. Since this meeting, her classroom habits have improved somewhat, although the issue is still ongoing.
Something I appreciated: The ease with which you presented (calm, comfortable), the fact that you didn't rely on your notes (loved that!) Suggestion for improvement: Wanted to hear more about what you intend to do next (ongoing learning)
Emile
Something I appreciated: Didn't overcomplicate the presentation (value in keeping it simple) Suggestion for improvement: Voice needs to be projected a little more (too quiet)
Adam
Something I appreciated: Made the presentation interactive (asked questions - helped with engagement), good use of humor Suggestion for improvement: Spent a little too much time teaching us about topic - more emphasis needed on your learning
Terry & Blair
Something I appreciated: Loved enthusiasm/ease with which you presented, nice variety of images, cool videos! Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have heard a little more from you (about the process)
Leila
Something I appreciated: Loved your confidence and enthusiasm (made you easy to listen to), very clear/smooth presentation style! Suggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Michelle H
Something I appreciated: Great confidence, natural/comfortable presentation style, loved the images and video! Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen/heard more about the journey/process (challenges associated with learning)
Frank & Albert
Something I appreciated: Wise choice to focus on a specific category of wines, nice job introducing videos and explaining the process Suggestion for improvement: I liked your use of the PDF presentation format, but fewer words on certain slides may have been beneficial (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line, avoid full sentences/paragraphs)
Natalia
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your level of confidence (comfortable in front of class) Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen more images throughout your presentation (especially important for visual learners)
Bruce
Something I appreciated: Clarification of topic and terms, good use of humor (loved video at the end) Suggestion for improvement: Some slides were a little bright on the eyes, but I liked them
Mike M
Something I appreciated: Liked your casual presentation style Suggestion for improvement: Liked your visual presentation, but fewer words on certain slides may have been beneficial (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line)
Alan
Something I appreciated: Excellent use of humor, great connections back to earlier presentations and classmates' comments... Your presentation made me hungry (even after seeing the final product)! Suggestion for improvement: You might consider moving around the classroom while presenting (although I often don't do this either)
Mike F
Something I appreciated: Admirable that you created a Prezi (nice variation from PowerPoint), appreciated your honesty (makes you believable) Suggestion for improvement: With more time (which we didn't have), there's potential to "spice up" the visual component of the presentation
Jeff
Something I appreciated: I like how you captured our attention at the start of your presentation (and maintained it), excellent use of humor! Suggestion for improvement: Some of your slides (towards end) could have benefitted from more color, organization, images (the rest was great!)
Something I appreciated: Appreciated that you kept the text on your slides to a minimum (with lots of images) and didn't rely on your notes Suggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Adam
Something I appreciated: You have a nice way of capturing the attention of your audience (with questions, quotes, humor)! Suggestion for improvement: Some components of the presentation seemed to stray a little off topic (too much info not related to the topic)
Michelle H
Something I appreciated: Like that you provided a brief overview of your learner-centered approaches at the start of your presentation (helpful for knowing where you're headed) Suggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images/color and less text (more visual appeal)
Bruce
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your honesty about challenges associated with implementing changes Suggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images and less text to make it more visually appealing (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line, avoid full sentences/paragraphs)
Terry
Something I appreciated: Excellent projection of voice, great images! Suggestion for improvement: You may wish to review your outcomes to ensure each one is in proper format
Blair
Something I appreciated: Excellent balance of text and images on your slides - easy on eyes, not overwhelming (well done)! Suggestion for improvement: You may wish to review your outcomes to ensure each one is in proper format (and not too long/wordy)
Natalia
Something I appreciated: Admirable that you challenged yourself by creating a Prezi (nice variation from PowerPoint) - well done! Suggestion for improvement: Certain fonts were a bit bright on the eyes (see "Laboratory Research Project" in aqua on "Case Studies" slide) and other fonts were too light (see "Developing Pipetting Techniques" on "Scaffolding" slide).
Emile
Something I appreciated: Appreciated the effort you made to acknowledge elements of your presentation style you're trying to work on (volume/projection of voice) Suggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images and less text to make them more visually appealing (avoid full sentences/paragraphs). Also, I agree that Animoto is a really cool tool to incorporate into our classrooms, yet I don't believe it's considered a learner-centered approach.
Mike F
Something I appreciated: Loved the conversational style with which you presented (calm, comfortable, laidback) Suggestion for improvement: I find your presentation style engaging but perhaps a little more energy/ethusiasm could make it even better!
Frank
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your energy/ethusiasm and level of confidence in front of the class (very engaging)! Also impressed with how well thought-out your ideas (and strategies to evaluate). Suggestion for improvement:
Mike M
Something I appreciated: I like that you smile a lot throughout your presentations and use humor to lighten things up! Suggestion for improvement: Try to avoid having multiple slides with a lot of text (easier on the eyes to use point form instead of full sentences/paragraphs).
Albert
Something I appreciated: Very well-spoken, great confidence and natural/comfortable presentation style Suggestion for improvement: Some of your slides could have benefited from more images and less text (avoid paragraphs)
Leila
Something I appreciated: Clear and very well-spoken! Suggestion for improvement: Keep in mind that where you position yourself while presenting can impact your students' learning. For instance, with you sitting on the chair at the front of the room, the only part of you that I could see was your eyes above the computer screen! I thought your presentation was strong, yet not being able to see your face made it trickier for me to follow as I'm a very visual learner. Please ensure that everyone in your audience can see you clearly (just something to keep in mind).
Alan
Something I appreciated: Enjoyed your laidback/confident presentation style (very engaging, easy to listen to) Suggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Jeff
Something I appreciated: Smooth, engaging presentation style Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen more images throughout your presentation (especially important for visual learners)
Classroom Management
An ongoing classroom management "problem" I have been encountering over the past 2 years has to do with a student who overshares in class to the extent that she sometimes makes other students (and myself) uncomfortable. She has difficulty understanding boundaries in terms of what is - and is not - appropriate information to share in a public setting. For instance, she has talked about her history with addiction, prostitution, and abuse. At times, her comments have been relevant to class discussions, but more often she takes the conversation off-topic and doesn't seem to know when to stop talking.
All 4 instructors in our program have experienced similar concerns, and each of us has tried to manage this student's over-sharing in our own classrooms. We have done this by talking to the student outside of class and trying to explain how certain topics are inappropriate and are "off limits" during class. At times, we have also tried to avoid asking her to share (although we don't want to thwart her classroom participation altogether), and we have provided her opportunities to share her experiences/feelings/emotions with us during office hours. We have also had private conversations with the student to ensure that she is receiving the support she may need from counseling, or other relevant, services. Faculty has discussed concerns during team meetings and brainstormed new ideas for addressing the issue. Towards the end of this school year, our Program Coordinator met with the student to create a "behaviour plan" for appropriate classroom conduct that the student was asked to agree to and sign. Since this meeting, her classroom habits have improved somewhat, although the issue is still ongoing.
Inquiry Projects
Assignment #3 - Inquiry Project (Potting Flowers)
Heather & Kim
Something I appreciated: The ease with which you presented (calm, comfortable), the fact that you didn't rely on your notes (loved that!)Suggestion for improvement: Wanted to hear more about what you intend to do next (ongoing learning)
Emile
Something I appreciated: Didn't overcomplicate the presentation (value in keeping it simple)Suggestion for improvement: Voice needs to be projected a little more (too quiet)
Adam
Something I appreciated: Made the presentation interactive (asked questions - helped with engagement), good use of humorSuggestion for improvement: Spent a little too much time teaching us about topic - more emphasis needed on your learning
Terry & Blair
Something I appreciated: Loved enthusiasm/ease with which you presented, nice variety of images, cool videos!Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have heard a little more from you (about the process)
Leila
Something I appreciated: Loved your confidence and enthusiasm (made you easy to listen to), very clear/smooth presentation style!Suggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Michelle H
Something I appreciated: Great confidence, natural/comfortable presentation style, loved the images and video!Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen/heard more about the journey/process (challenges associated with learning)
Frank & Albert
Something I appreciated: Wise choice to focus on a specific category of wines, nice job introducing videos and explaining the processSuggestion for improvement: I liked your use of the PDF presentation format, but fewer words on certain slides may have been beneficial (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line, avoid full sentences/paragraphs)
Natalia
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your level of confidence (comfortable in front of class)Suggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen more images throughout your presentation (especially important for visual learners)
Bruce
Something I appreciated: Clarification of topic and terms, good use of humor (loved video at the end)Suggestion for improvement: Some slides were a little bright on the eyes, but I liked them
Mike M
Something I appreciated: Liked your casual presentation styleSuggestion for improvement: Liked your visual presentation, but fewer words on certain slides may have been beneficial (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line)
Alan
Something I appreciated: Excellent use of humor, great connections back to earlier presentations and classmates' comments... Your presentation made me hungry (even after seeing the final product)!Suggestion for improvement: You might consider moving around the classroom while presenting (although I often don't do this either)
Mike F
Something I appreciated: Admirable that you created a Prezi (nice variation from PowerPoint), appreciated your honesty (makes you believable)Suggestion for improvement: With more time (which we didn't have), there's potential to "spice up" the visual component of the presentation
Jeff
Something I appreciated: I like how you captured our attention at the start of your presentation (and maintained it), excellent use of humor!Suggestion for improvement: Some of your slides (towards end) could have benefitted from more color, organization, images (the rest was great!)
Learner-Centered Approaches
Assignment #7 - Learner-Centered ApproachesKim
Something I appreciated: Appreciated that you kept the text on your slides to a minimum (with lots of images) and didn't rely on your notesSuggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Adam
Something I appreciated: You have a nice way of capturing the attention of your audience (with questions, quotes, humor)!Suggestion for improvement: Some components of the presentation seemed to stray a little off topic (too much info not related to the topic)
Michelle H
Something I appreciated: Like that you provided a brief overview of your learner-centered approaches at the start of your presentation (helpful for knowing where you're headed)Suggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images/color and less text (more visual appeal)
Bruce
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your honesty about challenges associated with implementing changesSuggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images and less text to make it more visually appealing (remember 6 x 6 guideline = no more than 6 lines with 6 words per line, avoid full sentences/paragraphs)
Terry
Something I appreciated: Excellent projection of voice, great images!Suggestion for improvement: You may wish to review your outcomes to ensure each one is in proper format
Blair
Something I appreciated: Excellent balance of text and images on your slides - easy on eyes, not overwhelming (well done)!Suggestion for improvement: You may wish to review your outcomes to ensure each one is in proper format (and not too long/wordy)
Natalia
Something I appreciated: Admirable that you challenged yourself by creating a Prezi (nice variation from PowerPoint) - well done!Suggestion for improvement: Certain fonts were a bit bright on the eyes (see "Laboratory Research Project" in aqua on "Case Studies" slide) and other fonts were too light (see "Developing Pipetting Techniques" on "Scaffolding" slide).
Emile
Something I appreciated: Appreciated the effort you made to acknowledge elements of your presentation style you're trying to work on (volume/projection of voice)Suggestion for improvement: Your slides could have benefited from more images and less text to make them more visually appealing (avoid full sentences/paragraphs). Also, I agree that Animoto is a really cool tool to incorporate into our classrooms, yet I don't believe it's considered a learner-centered approach.
Mike F
Something I appreciated: Loved the conversational style with which you presented (calm, comfortable, laidback)Suggestion for improvement: I find your presentation style engaging but perhaps a little more energy/ethusiasm could make it even better!
Frank
Something I appreciated: Appreciated your energy/ethusiasm and level of confidence in front of the class (very engaging)! Also impressed with how well thought-out your ideas (and strategies to evaluate).Suggestion for improvement:
Mike M
Something I appreciated: I like that you smile a lot throughout your presentations and use humor to lighten things up!Suggestion for improvement: Try to avoid having multiple slides with a lot of text (easier on the eyes to use point form instead of full sentences/paragraphs).
Albert
Something I appreciated: Very well-spoken, great confidence and natural/comfortable presentation styleSuggestion for improvement: Some of your slides could have benefited from more images and less text (avoid paragraphs)
Leila
Something I appreciated: Clear and very well-spoken!Suggestion for improvement: Keep in mind that where you position yourself while presenting can impact your students' learning. For instance, with you sitting on the chair at the front of the room, the only part of you that I could see was your eyes above the computer screen! I thought your presentation was strong, yet not being able to see your face made it trickier for me to follow as I'm a very visual learner. Please ensure that everyone in your audience can see you clearly (just something to keep in mind).
Alan
Something I appreciated: Enjoyed your laidback/confident presentation style (very engaging, easy to listen to)Suggestion for improvement: N/A (I tried to come up with something, but nothing came to mind)
Jeff
Something I appreciated: Smooth, engaging presentation styleSuggestion for improvement: Would have liked to have seen more images throughout your presentation (especially important for visual learners)