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What’s different for me this year? At the end of the fall semester in 2017, my department
chair suggested that I apply for the Adjunct Certification Program. So, here I am. What a
thrilling experience it has been! It has made me want to be a better and more effective
teacher. From the first session, we have been challenged to investigate what is different
about students now, as opposed to the past. We have been presented with research that
reveals how students learn. We have looked at various ways to better organize and define
our expected student outcomes. We have seen many ideas about what motivates today’s
students. Lesson plan strategies, classroom assessment techniques, exciting new
software and even state of the art devices have made their debut into our lives.
Some of what I have learned so far, I have used in my classroom already.
I created and used a CAT whereby my students wrote and verbally shared their proposed
test questions. During the rather enthusiastic question creation session, I could not only
tell who was well prepared, but I could see those who weren’t so well-prepared as they
scrambled to take notes. In one class I was rewarded with 19 pages, each filled with
proposed questions. The results in my other class were quite similar. The proposed test
questions were used on the test. Both classes want to continue creating the test
questions.
I used new software in my classes. I created some flashcards using Classtools. I posted
ten questions that pertain to an upcoming test. Several students asked for the link, so
they can use the flashcards to prepare for the test. I will use other Classtools offerings.
I haven’t used it yet, but my BOPPPS lesson plan will be implemented in an upcoming
class when we get to the subject matter the plan covers. Unfortunately, it will be after the
end of the ACP class, so I can’t include the results here. The lesson involves perusing
articles that pertain to inventory valuation processes. There will be a class discussion
between those students who prefer one method and those who prefer the second method.
Each method has a different impact on the financial statements of a company.
I have chosen a device known as a virtual whiteboard. I will use this when providing
tutoring sessions. I will be at the whiteboard and students can access the device via their
cellphones. All parties can write on the board. It will be a convenient way to ensure that
the various steps are followed in a given procedure.
I have become more aware of when students are engaged and when they are not. I can
tell when I am losing some of them. I have started to change teaching methods when this
happens. Today, I got attention when I posed a dumb riddle.
Precision is a new mantra in one of my classes. I have a student who is challenged by
what I believe to be some form of autism. When I ask the class if there are any questions,
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