(#151) “You Could Take All Your Courses From Your Kitchen Table”

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

Sometimes, however, the simplest—and most effective—
thing to do is to go back to the beginning.
Back to the start and focus on what works.

Veteran teachers know that educational “reform” many times is anything but that. Politicians and bureaucrats expound about “redesign”, “standards”, “assessment”, and “reorganization.”  While each of those concepts can hold great promise for genuine improvement, it is common to see such reforms whither.  Sometimes that is because of a lack of adequate funding or other resources.  Other times, a shift in the political winds might bring about a change in direction.

The legacy of many of these reforms can be frustrating. There are human and financial costs.  At times, the cost has been lost time as teachers and students have been saddled with paperwork and mandated scripts to implement new “standards.”

One news article this week described recent action in the Florida legislature that highlighted another “new” approach to educational reform. The House Speaker said that the bipartisan bill (on its way to the governor’s desk) was not watering down standards, it was “redesigning high school standards to give different options to students who may not be interested in pursuing a college degree.”  OK. Sounds good. But just three years ago, the legislature had toughened up the graduation requirements to “help students compete globally.”  My guess is that back then that was also considered “redesigning.”

Image: Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Stuart Miles/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In Texas Rethinking Its Testing Curriculum Standards, Will Weissert reports, “a number of states are considering pulling back” from tougher graduation standards.  “After rounds of raising standards and requiring tests, some legislatures are now swinging back in the other direction.”  Politicians now say they are concerned about bombarding our students with too many tests and too many test-prep days.

I believe the teachers (for the most part) have been saying this all along.  Fire hosing information is not education.

So what is the history lesson here? Does ill-advised redesign lead to retreat?  Or do we make it sound better and say we are simply “reframing” the situation?

Another piece of the educational redesign history has been the proliferation of online education.  The chair of the Florida House Education Committee, excited about online possibilities, recently said, “You could take all of your courses from your kitchen table.”

And this is good, I suppose.  Flexibility. Lower costs. Access.  All very positive pieces of the educational puzzle. But is this one more panacea offered by the decision makers?  Before you accuse me of being a troglodyte, I understand that new ways of envisioning education (like the Khan Academy) have to be explored and embraced. Our students have changed. Our world has changed.

Video recommendation for the week:

Sometimes, however, the simplest—and most effective—thing to do is to go back to the beginning. Back to the start and focus on what works. Forget redesigning for the sake of redesigning for political or economic gain or to check a box on someone’s clipboard.

In education, one of those basic building blocks is the one-on-one personal connections that thousands of teachers make each day with their students. These connections help motivate, educate, and rejuvenate our students and communities.  Do we have deep troubles? You bet.  Will an emphasis on fire-hosed testing, self-secluded education, and politically motivated redesign help?  I doubt it.

A bureaucrat told me at a meeting this week that he “was not responsible for the history.”

That may or may not be correct, sir, but you are most definitely responsible for the present. Moreover, your actions are creating history.

Think about that at your kitchen table.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

On May 4, I will offer a special Saturday edition webinar. Click here to register now for “Habits of Well-being and Balance.”  Or go to my website for registration information.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

 Check out the new “Updates” feature on my website.

 ©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in Education, education reform | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

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

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

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 our students from the edges of their sleep to the edges of their seats.  It can be a slippery slope.  Technique without connection, without meaning, and without understanding will not help us—or our students.

Research is wonderful (and needed); however, for those of us who work daily with students, we need the HOW!  We need clear explanations about strategies and exercises that will help us engage our students—and enable our students to take more and more responsibility as they move toward their dreams.

Image: koratmember/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: koratmember/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our starting premise must be that student success is our goal. We help students move toward their life dreams, achieve their academic goals, and care for their health and well-being.

On Wednesday (April 10) of this coming week, I will examine seven principles of student success in one of my 30-minute PDQ Webinars ™.  Participants will learn how these basic principles will help us help our students move responsibly and effectively toward their dreams.

For instance, we will exam the principle of personal validation.  To me this is the foundation.  Without it, we will have a difficult time in class (or in the office or at home).  When we validate our students, we recognize them for what they do and appreciate them as human beings.  No, it does not mean we build up egos simply to build up egos. In fact, if all we do is give students meaningless compliments that do nothing to help them improve and build, then we do them a terrible disservice.   When we personally validate, we make a human connection.  That connection is what brings students to my office door (and to countless colleagues around the nation) to talk about issues (personal and academic) that they feel no one else understands.  Why my door? Well, they tell me that they feel like they can trust me, talk to me.  When we build that foundation, we have a better chance of helping them move toward their goals.

Video recommendation for the week:

What motivates you?

The second principle we will examine is self-efficacy. Simply put, how do we help our students develop (maintain) an internal locus of control.  If all we do is validate—but not provide tools to develop the ability and belief that they can make an impact on their world then we have fallen short. How can we help our students (or colleagues or people we lead) believe they can have an impact on what happens in their world? How can we help them understand they need to take responsibility for their lives?

The remaining principles all help our students develop a sense of purpose, reflect on and strengthen their lives socially, academically, physically and emotionally.

Image: renjith krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: renjith krishnan/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

These principles—like so many student success principles—are life success principles.  They are instructive for business leaders as well as student leaders.

So for the teachers in the audience, what are your best practices for student success?  How do you know they work—and that they are the best?  How do they measure against recognized (researched) principles of student success?

Creating a conducive college classroom climate does not happen by accident. It happens on purpose.

On Wednesday, we will examine the remaining principles and give you an opportunity to reflect on your practice and your next step.

To register for my April 10 webinar, Underlying Principles of Student Success click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

 Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

 Check out the new “Updates” feature on my website.

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

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

(#149) Are You Unique? Well, Isn’t That Special!

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

Demonstrate what you have done (what action you have taken)
rather than getting caught up in hyperbole.

Words matter. What we say, how we say it, why we say it, and when we say it create a message.  Whether you write books, blogs, songs, or office memos, every one of your words has a purpose—intended or not.  After 9 books, 2 CDs, and nearly three years of blogging, I still struggle with “tight writing.” (Thank God, for my developmental editor who helps to keep my thoughts parallel and proper. Thanks, Shannon!)

Image: kookkai_naki/Free DigitalPhotos.net

Image: kookkai_naki/Free DigitalPhotos.net

A recent article by Jeff Haden, titled “Stop Using These 16 Terms to Describe Yourself” examined the words people use to describe themselves on websites and social media sites. He poses a simple question, “Do you write things about yourself that you would never have the nerve to actually say?” Haden then annotates 16 words that we should never use to describe ourselves.

If others are saying these words about you, great!  But as for you, it is best to demonstrate what you have done (what action you have taken) and what you bring to any given situation.

Here are Haden’s 16 words. (In his article, he briefly describes why each is on the list.)

  1. Innovative
  2. World-class
  3. Authority
  4. Results oriented
  5. Global provider
  6. Motivated
  7. Creative
  8. Dynamic
  9. Guru
  10. Curator
  11. Passionate
  12. Unique
  13. Incredibly
  14. Serial entrepreneur
  15. Strategist
  16. Collaborative

Here are the takeaways for me:

  • Describe action you have taken or will take rather than to describe yourself with glittering generalities. In other words, describe for me how you will help me.  Remember the English professor’s warning: Show don’t tell.
  • Even if one or more of the terms above describe you, there may be more impact associated with the word if someone else describes you with it. If you are that good get some testimonials.
  • Some words have become so overused that they lose impact.  You know, like “special.” If everyone is “special” then no one is “special.” What person selling himself/herself would not claim to be motivated? And unique?

Video recommendation of the week:

This word reminded me of one of my mentors. In the video clip below, Rick Kaden suggests how to best present oneself during an interview. Notice what he advises to do rather than selling yourself as “unique.”

What words would you add to or delete from the list?

And remember, you and I are “unique” and “special”–just like everyone else in the world.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

 

  • Please pass along information about my April 10 webinar, Underlying Principles of Student Success.  Great for teachers, tutors, and supervisors. Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information.
  •  Check out the new “Updates” feature on my website.

 

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

 

Posted in Communication, Words | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#148) Finding Your Kokomo

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

The calendar provides a gentle reminder of the
many people and experiences for us to enjoy and embrace.

My favorite time of the year is spring. Each day becomes more vibrant: flowers brightly blooming, ocean water warming, and the sunshine longer –lasting. Energizing!

It is also spring break for book-weary students and teachers; a time to rejuvenate the inner batteries of life. Nine days to break out of the “routine” and change gears. It’s not necessarily a “slower” time—just a “different” time.  I look forward to sleeping in a little later, having longer workouts in the gym, picking a book from the stack building in my office, spending more time with my wife enjoying our beach community, listening to music (Eric Clapton will be here Tuesday!), and tackling a few home projects.

The calendar provides a gentle reminder of the many people and experiences for me to enjoy and embrace.

Video recommendations for the week:

No shoes, No Shirt, No Problem!

Even if you may not be on spring break this week why not carve out at least a few moments for YOU to catch YOUR breath and stay in touch (or get back in touch) with a little BALANCE in YOUR life.

It’s 5:00 Somewhere!

So, this week rather than a lot of words, I’ll leave you with some classic (at least by my definition) springtime/me-time/friend-time/balance-time/fun-time music.  If you get the urge, I would love to hear about your favorite springtime music.

May you find your “Kokomo” this week.

Enjoy!

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Please pass along information about my April 10 webinar, Underlying Principles of Student Success.  Great for teachers, tutors, and supervisors. Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in Balance, Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#147) Consistency

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

Intentional growth, evaluated experience, and consistency
are keys to personal development.

In this month’s issue of Success Magazine, publisher Darren Hardy conducted an interview with leadership guru John C. Maxwell.  They focused on the topic of personal development—what it means and what it does not mean.

For me, the interview reaffirmed that our life’s journey has so much possibility and potential.  Many, however, never see but a fraction of what they can enjoy.  As I have said many times before, this is not rocket science.  Maxwell, though, reminds us that personal development does take effort.

For this blog, allow me to distill (from the Maxwell interview) three potent strategies that can help any of us develop more of our potential.  The key? We have to DO something with each of these.

Image: dan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: dan/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  1. Intentional growth. Do you have a plan for your personal growth? We all have had (and will continue to have) those “accidental” growth experiences.  You know, when we stumble on a book with a poignant message, catch something from a teacher, or just have a flash of insight.  Those experiences can be powerful and we need to be open to those unexpected life lessons.  However, Maxwell reminds us that true growth comes from intentional planning.  That requires that we focus on the what, who and how of our journey.  We need to be intentional about what we want to accomplish, with whom we need to associate, and to which books/blogs/videos/music we need to pay attention.
    • Thought for the coming week. Examine one of your goals. What person could help you move closer to that goal? Whose brain would you like to pick? Write that person’s name on a piece of paper.  Then pick up the phone and call him or her.  Ask for a coffee or lunch date.  When you meet, be a sponge! Soak up the wisdom.
  2. Evaluated Experience.  You have no doubt heard that “experience is the best teacher.”  Let’s nuance that a bit. Experience without reflection is not worth much.  What you want is evaluated experience.  Whether I have a great day or not so great day in the classroom or in a training workshop, I need to stop and reflect on what worked well, what worked somewhat well, and what bombed.  And I do that after each class and each presentation or workshop facilitation.  What could I have done better—and what worked well?
    • Thought for the coming week. Identify one event you have coming up this week.  For teachers, it can be a new lesson or exercise in class. For business folks, it might be a presentation to a client.  Students might want to focus on a challenging class or the next study group meeting.  Once the event has come and gone, dedicate ten minutes to reflect on the positive and not-so-positive aspects of what happened. Then write a goal to do one thing differently the next time a similar situation presents itself.
  3. Consistency.  I spoke with my classes this week about consistency.  I reminded them that on the first day of class each person spoke of his/her dream for the semester.  I then said, “Look around the classroom.  Who is still here? Who is not? Motivation gets us going and discipline will keep us going—and growing.”  Consistency separates the doers from the dreamers; the workers from the talkers.  My business card says “Dreams—Action—Reality.” Again—not rocket science.  This week in class I spent time reviewing some of the great social media and new technology tools. One student raised her hand and asked me how I could keep up with all of this stuff.  First, I said, I have so much to learn. That drives me; I can’t learn about the tools without using the tools.  I commit myself to learning or becoming more proficient with at least one piece of social media each week.  I am, in short, consistent. And I am disciplined.  You cannot separate consistency from discipline. If you don’t have the discipline, “it” (whatever “it” is) will not get done.  Go back to the point #1 above—you have to be intentional.
      • Thought for the coming week.  Identify one aspect of your life that would benefit from a bit more consistency and discipline.  Exercise? Pushing back from the table? Paying off your credit card debt? Not building any further credit card debt?  If you find yourself saying, “I have zero discipline” then find a mentor or coach who can help.  But remember, no matter whom you bring on board you will have to do the work.

    Video recommendation for the week:

    The importance of self-discipline.

    It’s your life. You make the choices.  Enjoy the journey.

    Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

    Please pass along information about my April 10 webinar, Underlying Principles of Student Success.  Great for teachers, tutors, and supervisors. Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

    ©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in Discipline, growth, intentional growht, Personal growth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#146) Do You Have The “Goods”?

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

For my readers this week,
I would love to hear how you implement the GOOD life.

Last week’s blog post looked at placing people over technology. I related a lesson learned from a former student (Vik) I had run into that weekend.

Well, one of the good people to read that blog was Vik’s father, Dr. D. Gopal. He wrote me and responded to my message with these words:

“There is no person to person interaction anymore and we do not know
where we are going to achieve peace of mind and happiness in our life.”

He then offered his prescription for the “good life.” Ten simple commandments; ten good practices for peace of mind and happiness in life.

1. See Good
2. Hear Good
3. Be Good
4. Do Good
5. Look Good
6. Think Good
7. Act Good
8. Speak Good
9. Feel Good
10. Live Good.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

For this week’s post, I will build on the list with an example for each GOOD practice.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

1. See Good

  • No matter how fouled up the day may be, focus on the good in your life.  One practice I like to do is to reflect on “Three Good Things” that happened to me each day.  It helps ground me in the blessings and positive people in my life. Live with gratitude.

2. Hear Good

  • Words can be hurtful. Even well-meaning critiques may sting our egos.  At those times that I am bit thin-skinned, I remind myself that meaningful feedback is a wonderful gift. Listen to it; question it; learn from it.

3. Be Good

  • Remember what your parents told you when you were little and went outside to play: “Play nice!”

4. Do Good

  • Simple acts will make huge differences in the lives of those around you—and yours.  Smile. Say a pleasant hello. Do something nice for someone—even if they do not know you did it.  In fact, do something nice for someone today—and make it an anonymous love offering.

Video recommendation for the week:

The power of gratitude and fortitude!

5. Look Good

  • Take pride in yourself.  This doesn’t require a lot of money. It does reflect a little time, though.

6. Think Good

  • Feed you mind positive thoughts. Yes, negative things do happen. And, yes, bad things happen to good people.  Also, be mindful of assumptions.  More times than not, I find that when I jump to an assumption, it is negative thought. And many times that assumption is not accurate.

7. Act Good.

  • Respond to events. Do not react.

8. Speak Good

  • As Don Miguel Ruiz reminded us in the Four Agreements, be impeccable with your word.  Avoid gossip.

4agreements

9. Feel Good

  • Take care of the six dimensions in your life: social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional.  One will affect the other.

10. Live good.

  • I have a six-word mantra:  “Choose well. Live well. Be well.”  Life can be challenging at times. Always do your best.

Thanks for the philosophic reminder, Dr. Gopal. For my readers this week, I would love to hear how you implement the GOOD life.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Time is limited to register for my March 13 webinar, Critical Thinking for Success: In School, Business, and Life!  Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in Balance, Gratitude, happiness | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

(#145) People Before Technology

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

The doctor has spoken; the prescription is simple.
What a wonderful reminder—for all of us.

In their book Generation on a Tightrope, Arthur Levine and Diane R. Dean assert that our newest generation of college students is more connected and yet more isolated than their predecessors (in higher education).  It has become cliché to relate examples of people choosing to relate to a piece of gadgetry rather than the human being beside them.  What are more noteworthy are those rare examples when people make conscious decisions to disconnect from machines and connect to humanity.

9780470376294_cover.indd

Last night my wife and I ran into a student I taught more than 20 years ago.  As a member of the Class of 1992 at Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville, Florida), Vik was a gregarious and cheerful young man. During his junior year, Vik served as a congressional page for Representative Charlie Bennett. He went on to medical school and is now a doctor with a beautiful family and, as he likes to say, “living the dream.”

He, his wife, two daughters and another couple (and their two children) were enjoying a family night out.  The children were sitting together, with pencils and paper. They were smiling, chattering to one another, laughing and enjoying the company. Their eyes literally lit up with excitement, as they seemed to be totally engaged in what their hands and minds were creating (together) at that point. The four adults engaged in lively conversation as well.  What was noticeably absent?  There was not a smart phone in sight. Not on the table, not in a hand, not in someone’s lap. One could argue, “Wait until the kids are teenagers. They will trade their paper for phones!” Possibly. But the example of the parents may make the difference.

Contrast that with another group that took a seat in another part of the restaurant. Two of the kids immediately took out a cell phone to check who knows what. One of the adults was continually texting (from my seat I could see her screen full of text bubbles). They were sitting next to one another but they were suffering from their own form of CPA—continuous partial attention.

2013-03-01 18.49.55

When I asked Vik (jokingly), “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Where are your cell phones?” he explained how he worked to make sure technology did not interfere with personal connection.  Even with his busy schedule as a doctor, he refused to allow social media and technology to control his life. He told me that when he is in a business situation he wants to connect with the person in front of him—not be distracted (or have the person with him distracted) by technology. Even more so during personal times.

I have written often on this blog about the benefits and challenges of social media.  I have facilitated workshops on these topics. (I will be co-facilitating a webinar for the University of Texas (March 21, 2013) on using social media and new technology in the classroom.) I get it!  Social media and technology is powerful. This stuff is great—when used with purpose.

A colleague of mine, Joe Cuseo, is fond of saying “People before paper.” In other words, when we work with colleagues and students, let’s build personal connections before we dive into the paperwork.

Vik and his wife remind us that it’s also “People before technology.”

Video recommendation for the week:

The doctor has spoken; the prescription is simple. What a wonderful reminder—for all of us. Disconnect.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Time is limited to register for my March 13 webinar, Critical Thinking for Success: In School, Business, and Life!  Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

 

Posted in Connection-Disconnection, Social Media | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

(#144) College Retention and Persistence: Ask the Correct Questions

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

Audience entering the room

Audience entering
the room

Before we can solve a problem
we have to ask the right questions.

Today I facilitated a workshop session at the 32nd Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience.  We examined why students stay in college and why they might leave college. As I like to do with my on-campus classes, I raised a series of questions for the participants to address.  My premise: Before we can solve a problem, we have to ask the proper questions.

 

These same questions can be crafted to fit a business environment as well. Instead of “students” consider “clients” or “people served.” Below are the eight questions I posed at today’s workshop. Beneath each question, I provide a correlation to the business world.

Image: digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: digitalart/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. How do you define retention?

  • In higher education, this means understanding if we are measuring completion of a course, a term, a certificate, or a diploma.  In business, you might look at repeat customers; or referrals from current satisfied customers.

2. Who “does” retention? That is, who is responsible for retention at your school?

  • At the college level, retention is not the job of one office. A lot of players have to be brought to the table.  It’s hard to consider a retention initiative without the involvement of financial aid, librarians, faculty, admissions, coaches, bookstore and cafeteria staff, custodians, and …. In other words, all hands have a role in this.  For sure, someone has to be “in charge” but everyone must be involved.  In business, the front desk (front line) worker is every bit as important in customer retention as the salesperson.  You could make the point, that this initial point of contact is the most important.

3. Connected to the definition of retention is the question of what are you measuring?

  • Simply stated, what are your analytics? How will you know what rubric is the correct one to gauge your success?

4. Is your institution “data-driven” or “data-informed”?

  • I’m reminded of what the Heath brothers have said in their books: You can have all the statistics in the world and they can be TBU. True But Useless! What are you doing with your data?
Image: renjith krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: renjith krishnan/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5. What plan does your school have to stop, keep, and start doing with regards to retention?

  • This is the simplest strategy I have ever encountered.  When you look at your business model, what should you stop doing (it is sabotaging your mission), what should you keep doing (it is supporting your mission) and what should you start doing (because it will advance your mission)?

6. What’s working at your school—and how can you do more of it?

  • Don’t obsess on looking for the negatives.  Identify what is working in your shop—and do more of it as much as possible. Play to your strength.

7. Why do students leave?

  • Do you have any way of capturing data on why people do not come back to your product or service? What can you do about these factors?

8. What assumptions does your institution make about retention issues?

  • Look at your attrition rate—why you are losing business. Are you operating on false assumptions about why this is happening?  Where can you gather additional pertinent information?

Bottom line. There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle.  Recognize what you can fix, what you cannot fix—and then take action.

Make it a great week…and HTRB as needed.

Register for my March 13 webinar, Critical Thinking for Success: In School, Business, and Life!  Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in college retention, customer service | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

(#143) It’s Not Rocket Science!

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

What examples do you have?
When would you like to tell someone “Hey, it’s not rocket science!”

You’ve heard the cliché It’s not rocket science! Or perhaps a variation of the same theme that states This ain’t brain surgery!  Each quip is typically a tagline following a simple and, generally, obvious statement of fact.  It can be used for comic effect or it can drive home a point that a seemingly complex issue is not as intricate as it may look.

I was reminded of the sentiment twice this week.  The first time was while doing research for an upcoming program; the second when speaking with my trainer in the gym. In both instances, the “it’s-not-rocket-science” line reinforced the simplicity of a particular issue and concomitant strategy.

Image: Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Ambro/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video recommendation for the week:

Brain surgery or rocket science? Laugh along with this.

I began to think about times when the statement of “it’s not rocket science” would fit.  Here is a short list.

  • I did a little calculation for my students about the time-sucking activity of watching television.  In short, if you just watch two hours per day for five days a week, by time you get to the end of the month you have spent the equivalent of a 40-hour workweek in front of your HDTV. For some it’s not television but, rather, social media grazing. Wondering where all your time goes?
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • I have heard people say that they were amazed at losing weight just by giving up sugar-laced soft drinks.
    •  It’s not rocket science!
  • A magazine article said one of the best ways to avoid debt was not to buy things you don’t need.
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • In the same category as the item above…Will Rogers quipped, “Too many people buy things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people they don’t like.”
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • I walked up to one of my students in the campus cafeteria last week. He had been cutting class—and had turned in only one assignment thus far in the semester. His average was hovering around a robust 12%.  He looked at me, shook his head, and said, “I shouldn’t be failing a student success class.”
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion/Momentum can be applied to the power of an individual’s motivation: A person at motion tends to remain in motion; a person doing nothing tends to remain doing nothing.
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • When some people discover that I am an author, it’s not unusual to hear, “I could write a book! What’s the secret to writing a book?” I invariably respond with, “Have you started actually writing your book; putting words on paper?”  The response, “Well, not yet.”
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • Our federal government might make more progress if lawmakers stopped posturing and started synergizing.
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • Forty-five states have passed laws saying it’s illegal to text while driving.
    • It’s not rocket science!
  • Dreams are great. If you want the dreams to become reality, you need to take action.
    • It’s not rocket science!

What examples do you have? When would you like to tell someone “Hey, it’s not rocket science!”

Video recommendation #2 for the week.

Part of comedian Bill Engvall’s stage act includes a routine with the punch line of “Here’s your sign!” He uses it to poke fun at people who say things without thinking (or not!).

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

My March 13 webinar, Critical Thinking for Success: In School, Business, and Life! is timely. Why not organize a webinar party at your school or office? Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

Posted in common sense | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

(#142) One More Word to Censor?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

Are there words we should never say? Are there words we should never hear?
And who makes that decision?

Back on August 22, 2010, I posed the following questions on this blog:

Are there words that we should NEVER say in any situation?
Are there words that some people CAN say, but those same
words remain off limits to others? Should the decision be based
on history, common sense, location, or the moment?

Image: idea go/freedigitalphotos.net

Image: idea go/
freedigitalphotos.net

Those questions came to mind during the past few weeks as a controversy brewed (was created?) in Jacksonville, Florida.  According to news reports, a supervisor in the Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, Florida) communication department referred to her own husband as a redneck.  The comment, made in the workplace, was alleged to have been made in jest. An African-American subordinate took exception and filed a discrimination complaint. The recently-appointed school superintendent reassigned the supervisor (who is white) saying, “Although the term ‘redneck’ may not be insensitive to some, it is to others. The term invokes historical perceptions of intolerance and therefore is inappropriate in the workplace and by the leader of a department, especially in communications.”

Video recommendation for the week:

Click here for a television clip of the story from the nightly news.

The story grew legs bringing comments from many readers.  One said that “redneck” was a hateful word and “that person who used the word redneck, should have been fired. I am very proud of the person that filed the complaint. We should not accept their disrespectful attitude.” Another responded, “political correctness has reached new heights of ridiculousness.”

Perhaps it’s the word’s history. To some it conjures up hardworking country folks who toiled for hours in the sun only to get a sunburned red neck. To others, the term is synonymous with racism.

As I followed the story in the news, I have to admit that I grew perplexed by the rising storm.  I would have thought the person being called “redneck” might be the offended party.  That was not the case here.  Can anyone, I wondered, claim offense with any word at any time?

In articles and blogs, Jeff Foxworthy’s use of the word has been put forth as evidence (?) that there is a certain pride in the word by some.  Is this misplaced pride? Is it anyone’s place to judge–and demand the word be expurgated?

Video recommendation #2 for the week:

BTW: Foxworthy also had a show with the tagline of “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?”  Is that insensitive to fifth graders? Or adults who are not “book smart”?

In past semesters, I have explained to my history students the use of the word “cracker” in the context of antebellum America.  I provided the derivation(s) and use of the word.  Based on this latest brouhaha should I abandon that lesson? Has the list of offensive words expanded?

I brought the local story to class this past week to get my students’ reaction.  When I explained the circumstances almost to a person, they furrowed their foreheads as if to say, “Huh?” Both white and black students did not understand the fuss.

So, I will offer up the same questions I did more than two years ago. What do you think? Are there words we should NEVER say? And who makes that decision? Has the discussion changed?

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Time is limited to register for my February 13 webinar, Retention and Persistence: Why Do Students Stay and Why Do They Leave Our Institutions?  Click here to register now.  Or go to my website for registration information. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please share it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You also can follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page and join in–or start–a conversation (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli).  If you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Make it a wonderful week!

©2013. Steve Piscitelli.

 

Posted in Words | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments