On Becoming a Student

This year, I decided to take a break from teaching a class in the evening.  I have so much going on with my full-time job as the director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership that I thought it might be best to focus on that and give myself a break from juggling so many different activities.  I also took a break from some of my personal volunteer activities with church and with boy scouts, too.

I miss teaching and I am so happy when some of my former students stop by for a visit and an update on their educational journeys and progress towards a career.  I miss the opportunity to try a new teaching technique, but I have really enjoy the time to focus all of my thoughts and efforts on my full-time job and my family.

Last semester one of the deans suggested that I take an online class on digital photography.  She thought I would really enjoy it.  So I signed up.  Our college provides six hours of classes for free as a benefit to employees and spouses.  What a great benefit and so far, just a few weeks into the semester, I have learned a lot that will assist me with being more effective as a teacher and as a faculty developer.

Here's the list of experiences that will impact how I support faculty in their professional development.

1.  I had to get help signing up for a class.  Honestly, it was a little embarrassing because I have advised students before and worked with them but for some reason I just couldn't get signed up.  Here's what I learned, at our college, you have to be registered in a semester to sign up for a course.  Before a student can sign up for an online course, they have to complete the online orientation.  I was admitted for the spring semester, but the orientation I needed to take was in the fall so someone had to manually enroll me.  It wasn't a huge issue but I'm sure many "real" students hit this roadblock.  Maybe there will be an opportunity to adjust this.

2.  Be clear about the textbook and required tools.  I watched the class schedule to see what is required for the class and nothing was posted.   Once the class stared, I saw that the syllabus talked about a text book so I went to the book store to buy it.  There wasn't a spot on the shelves for it so I asked at information and they lady said that no one ever buys the book so she hadn't ordered any.  She said she would order them and the book would arrive in a couple of weeks.  Also, in order to complete assignments for the class we need a special piece of software which I don't have at home.  You can go to campus and use the software, but I had planned to complete the class at home on the weekends.  I wonder what true distance learning students do to get access to the software?  For now, I'm trying an online version.  I hope it works.  

3.  Tables with a list of due dates are really helpful.  One of the classmates created a beautiful color coded project list.  What a great example of what students really need!  This is a reminder to me that faculty need more support related to the syllabus.

4.  The first day of class I was so excited to get started.  I went to post the first assignment and the discussion board wasn't ready.  That was a bummer!  This is reminder that faculty need to have items on the Learning Management System up and ready to go.

5.  It's also frustrating when links don't work and files can't be opened because they aren't .pdfs Faculty need to be reminded to check these.

Please don't think I am directing any of this towards the individual faculty member. My thoughts are strickly from a personal point of view in thinking about how to support faculty.

I have enjoyed the class and I have learned a lot.  I find the videos are very useful and it is so nice to be able to watch them again or stop and start as needed.  The assignments are great and the rubrics are very helpful!

Micro what?

Recently I saw an article entitled "Micro-Targeting Students".  It's a great concept, but the words don't really fit the idea.  Targeting sounds like we are going to shot them.  In the article, the author Ry Rivard even talks about how "recruiters are under the gun".   Maybe my trip to Disney has clouded my brain, but I think there are more positive ways we can invite students to come to our colleges and meet their needs.

I would propose something like "micro-connecting".  Basically, the underlying principle here is about the importance of connecting through the powerful data that recruiters can now access.  Along with making the connections is the opportunity to explore the idea of fit and how to set students up for success.  This data is currently being used by some in an ethically, but hopefully, the positive focus will prevail resulting in a win-win for institutions, and more importantly, for students.

Putting your Best Forward in an Interview

A job interview is enough to make even the most confident person nervous, but nerves can be good if used to focus on one's best efforts.

1.  Understand the job description.  If you don't know some of the terminology, as a colleague or look it up.

2.  Answer the questions completely and ask for a repeat if you didn't catch the whole question.

3.  Reassure the interviewers if you don't have a skill.  How would you learn it?  What skills do you have that will transfer or apply to the desired skill?

4.  Do your homework.  Remember that you are interviewing them too.   Ask intelligent questions about the workplace.  Ask about the direction and stability of the leadership.  Find out about the ideal candidate to see if you are a good fit.

5.  Also, have a few questions to ask. Three is a good number of questions to ask and eight is too many.

6.  Watch the fillers.  Ums, ahs, right, okay.  Any word that fills space is annoying and distracting.

7.  Be confident in what you know and show your passion for your work.

8.  Let the committee evaluate your performance on a question.  In other words, don't evaluate your response to a question.  Give the answer and move on.

9.  Prepare for given questions:

What's your background and education?

Why do you want this job?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?  

10.  Submit your cover letter, application and resume along with any other items that are requested.  Really think about what other items should be included in your application packet.  Don't hand out items at the interview unless requested or common practice such as a portfolio.

To Whom It May Concern

"To whom it may concern" you won't be hearing from me.  Oh no!  I won't write letters to you.  Don't expect the general letter of support that is so carelessly thrown out into the world, the letter that is meant to cover all situations.  I won't spend my time writing to you or wasting your time.  I won't burden you with the boring, blah, blah, blah, vanilla letter stating that this person is great.

If you happen to be on a search committee, you might receive a letter from me and in that letter you would find carefully crafted words to explain to you the wonderful talents of a colleague I have chosen to fully support.  Computers these days make it so easy to tailor a letter for each person for whom I write a letter.  When I agree to write that letter, I will ask the requester for five important items:

1.  An updated resume or CV
2.  The job description to which the candidate is applying
3.  A few points the candidate believes I can best speak to related to the position they are seeking
4.  The date by which they need the letter
5.  The contact information for submitting the letter

I hope you will take to heart these letters written from the heart and ignore other "to whom it may concern letters" where the reference didn't take the time to truly express their support of the candidate.  When it comes time for you to write a letter of reference, take the time.  Ask for the materials you need, if you truly support the candidate and give it your best honestly crafted words of support.  OH and by the way, if you are applying for a position and you need to include a list of references, make sure you ask those people ahead of time so they are prepared to receive calls about you.

Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

1.  Write one.  It may sound silly, but I’m amazed at how many people don’t include a cover letter unless it is specifically requested in the job announcement.

2. Consider the purpose of your cover letter.  Use the cover letter to show how your knowledge, skills and abilities fit with the minimum requirements and the responsibilities of the position.  This makes it easier for the reviewer to understand how you would fit in the position and at the institution.  Also, it makes it more likely that the reviewer will consider offering you an interview.

3.  Tailor it to the specific job.  This is particularly important if you are applying for multiple jobs at the same institution.  Your cover letter is the glue between your resume and the job announcement.  Ensure that you use the opportunity to explain why you are a good fit for the specific position.

4.  Be concise.  Your cover letter should be one to two pages in length.  Make each word count.

 

5.  Sell yourself.  This is your opportunity to share your accomplishments and what you enjoy doing.  Share your passion and your enthusiasm for the field in which you work.  What is your greatest achievement?

6. Use their words.  Using the words from the job announcement is another way to make it easier for the reviewer to consider you.  For example, if the job announcement is looking for experience with flipped classrooms and your resume shows that you taught a hybrid class, use the term “flipped classroom” in your cover letter and explain the connection. Be careful, too much cutting and pasting from the job announcement may seem a little odd.

7.  Make it easy to read.  Remember that reviewers could be considering a hundred or so applications for a position.  In your cover letter, use headings in bold or italics to highlight the significant areas of responsibilities and describe your experience or how the knowledge, skill or abilities transfer.  Here’s an example:

Budgeting Experience
I’ve been responsible for a 2 million dollar budget as the Coordinator for Student Life.  I oversaw the purchasing requisitions, purchase orders, invoicing and approval for the department.  I understand how funding works at a public institution and these skills are a perfect fit for the position you are seeking. 

8.  Proofread!  Your cover letter is a writing sample.

9.  Tell a story.  For the more creative and if you can, relate the position you are seeking to an experience on an anecdote in your life.

10. Be more formal.  Skip the abbreviations or the text speak such as LOL or J!