Category Archives: Student success

(#273) You Got Mail!

Posted on August 16, 2015 by

Is email “so yesterday”? When email was just catching on, my first semester assignment asked my students to send me an email.  Some teachers distribute index cards in class for their students to complete with information like nicknames, birthdays, career … Continue reading →

Posted in Civility, Communication, Connection-Disconnection, Discipline, Life lessons, self-efficacy, soft skills, Student success, Success, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#268) P.R.I.D.E for Student (Life) Success

Posted on July 12, 2015 by

Choose well, my friend. QUESTION: What do you think would give first-year college students the best advantage for success when they arrive on campus? QUESTION: What do you believe would give new employees the best advantage their first day on … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Choice, Excellence, focus, fortitude, habits, Integrity, Life's purpose, Passion, Purpose, Reflective practice, resilience, Student success | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#223) The Longest Movie of Your Life

Posted on August 31, 2014 by

It’s my challenge and duty to make the “movie” worth viewing. And it’s their job to be engaged with the movie. The first day of class brought a familiar lament. “Professor, I need you to understand that I work and … Continue reading →

Posted in effective teaching, Student success | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(#204) College Ready?

Posted on April 20, 2014 by

I think, more poignantly, the question for our colleges and universities comes down to “Once the students (college-ready or not) are admitted, what do we do to best serve them?” Preparing for my part of an online (virtual) conference this … Continue reading →

Posted in college retention, developmental education, Student success | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

(#187) Teacher Evaluation: I’m Not A Plumber for a Good Reason (Part 2)

Posted on December 22, 2013 by

I am not defending poor teaching. Far from it. I don’t want the lazy or incompetent or worse in my calling. But do evaluations need to be geared to the lowest common denominator? Last week I wrote about poorly-conceived and … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, common sense, effective teaching, Integrity, leadership, Student success | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(#166) It Takes More than Academics to Succeed in College

Posted on July 28, 2013 by

I address this week’s blog post directly to college students. If you know one—especially a first-year or first-generation college student— please, pass this along. Nearly two decades ago, a math colleague of mine (Florida State College at Jacksonville, Downtown Campus) … Continue reading →

Posted in Student success | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#150) Connecting With Students: Principles of Student Success

Posted on April 7, 2013 by

Creating a conducive college classroom climate does not happen by accident. It happens on purpose.  “If only my students were motivated to learn!” Perhaps you have heard that lament. Sometimes the discussion devolves into a search for “techniques” to move … Continue reading →

Posted in Student success, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#134) Marshmallows, Teaching and Learning

Posted on December 16, 2012 by

This exercise allowed them to collaborate, actively search for, and apply (critically think about) concepts and principles in an engaging and memorable manner.  About a year ago I learned of the “Marshmallow Challenge.”  The video at the end of this … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, effective teaching, Student success, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#133) Advice from My Scholars: How to Succeed in Life

Posted on December 9, 2012 by

The choices we make and do will create our lives. During the final class meeting before exam week begins I ask my students for feedback.  In this case, I ask them to consider advice they would like to pass along … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipline, Dreams, Student advice, Student success, Success | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

(#66) Thirty Years. A New Semester. Some Enduring Lessons.

Posted on August 28, 2011 by

One of the perks of teaching is that every semester we (faculty and students) get to start fresh. Regardless of what happened last term, we can craft a new direction.  It’s almost like an academic mulligan. When we kick off … Continue reading →

Posted in Student success | 2 Comments