Sustainability in the Classroom Events for Fall | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University

Sustainability in the Classroom Events for Fall | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University

I thought this article was REALLY neat! We had a "green" conference last year and I hope we incorporate some of these ideas from Vanderbilt University! :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Working with NINE Student Groups on Undergraduate Research Papers - Whew!

Readers,


This has been a very busy semester! It is been busy, yet VERY rewarding! Today, the Undergraduate Research Office at my institution just released the schedule for the "9th Annual - Tarleton State University - Student Research Symposium". Six of my student groups will present their research! I have been working TIRELESSLY helping them prepare their research papers and to distribute their surveys.


This was our grant proposal for the project:

To prepare for the “Diversity and Communication Research Symposium",  students in COMS 304, 332, and 406 will work in groups to write collaborative research papers focused on the course emphasis (interpersonal, intercultural, and group process/decision making) and diversity in the workplace. When the students finish their research papers, they will present their research at the symposium for students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding communities.

My colleague and faculty partner-in-crime - Cristi Horton, the students, the QEP committee, the library personnel, the undergraduate student body, my department head, the IRB committee, Career Services, and the Center for Diversity Initiatives have made this PROJECT WORK! It has been SIMPLY AMAZING! I hope the students will have their work published in an undergraduate journal OR an applicable scholarly journal. This is too exciting!


Read their titles and the symposium schedule here - http://www.tarleton.edu/studentresearch/student_research_symposium/Symposiumprogram2010.pdf 


In addition to my wonderful students' publication efforts, I've been serving in my roles for two state and regional associations. I am learning A LOT this semester and I hope this hard work will pay off in the end.


Any suggestions or words of encouragement? I am in SEVERE need of pep talk right now.


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Considering grad school? Advice in a flat job market - USATODAY.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ideologie/2116139016/in/photostream/

Considering grad school? Advice in a flat job market - USATODAY.com

Readers - As faculty, we have a responsibility to answer undergraduate students' questions about their future. This week, I met with an outstanding student in my department who did not have a resume for his job search. We met for an hour to prepare his resume and I left him with some "resume homework". He will send his resume back to me via e-mail and I will offer feedback. This will be an ongoing process.

Some undergraduate students are interested in attending graduate school and I remain objective. I present the positive and negative sides of this investment. Yes, it is an time and financial investment. It has been a great choice for me, but I do not try to infringe my beliefs on my students. 


For example, I incorporate undergraduate research in my courses and some people use this engagement tactic to recruit for their graduate programs, but I tell my students that they can incorporate these skills in their future career or their future endeavors (even if they plan to become a stay-at-home mom (or dad) - which a few students aspire to become). Anyone can incorporate scholarly research in their lives by gathering family perspectives on a subject while remaining objective or conducting research using scholarly databases. Many of my students are REALIZING this!

Grad school may not be for your students, but it is an option...and a job is an option as well! :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

My 10 Year High School Reunion - The Class of 2000

Readers,


I am finally realizing that I have been out of high school for 10 years! It is hard to believe, but our class reunion is coming up in a few days and it will be nice to see everyone.


So, in preparation for the Carthage HS Class of 2000 reunion, I give you our senior class "funny" picture:

I am the one in the middle of the picture by the principal (red shirt, khaki pants). 


Just think, 10 years ago, I was in my freshmen students' shoes. This reunion shall be interesting, more information to follow... 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Netflix in the Classroom?

Readers,


Personally, I LOVE Netflix! I watch Netflix while I research, grade papers, and while spending time with family. I think Netflix is a great resource for households who have diverse film interests and who value documentaries. Historical, education-related, adnd social documentaries are a favorite in our household. In addition to the documentaries, we love Bones, CSI, Law and Order, and I recently developed a love for The Commish.


This summer, I started a list of movies that I would like to incorporate in my classroom (ordering them from the university library). Netflix enables me to preview documentaries/movies for my classes and then I am able to order these films through our library.


I really wish Netflix would enable educational institutions to subscribe to Netflix. Our faculty would WELCOME the additional "educational" media tool (AND they would not have to drag videos from classroom to classroom).


Here is a snippet from the "Academic Libraries Add Netflix" article in the Chronicle of Higher Education:


Copyright lawyer and librarian Kevin Smith, a scholarly communications officer at Duke University, said academic libraries are taking a risk with these programs. Although copyright law allows faculty members to use the material in the classroom, he said, they may be opening themselves up to legal action from the company.


Read the rest of the article here - http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Academic-Libraries-Add-Netflix/27018/?sid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

What's In YOUR Business Card Holder? - Simple Strategies to Differentiate Your Business Cards from the Rest!

Readers,


Here is another great article from the Chronicle of Higher Education titled, "Hacking Your Business Card". 


I used the university business cards for awhile, but I wanted to make myself stand apart from the rest of the faculty who attend research conferences. So, I logged on to Office Max and created some GREAT business cards with their online software. 


I chose purple and white (my university's colors) and I chose to include the logo. They were very professional and Office Max runs a LOT of sales on business cards!


In addition to regular information, I decided to include my Twitter and Yahoo IM information.

What's on YOUR business card?


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.