Life on the Tenure Track - Questions and Answers (AERA Division J Emerging Scholars Pre-Conference)

Readers,

Last week, we had a great discussion focused on the tenure track. Here are the questions and answers from the panel discussion:

Question - What are the requirements for tenure?

Answer - The institution type determines the tenure track. If you are

 in doubt about the tenure process, just ask the people who are in your department and/or people who will be voting on your tenure.

Question - 

Do you ask "how many publications do I need" in the faculty job search process.

Answer - If your department does not require an annual review process, then just ask for one and then document your annual review.

Question - 

What about service?

Answer - It depends on university and their requirements. Some universities REALLY value service and others do not. 

What do you define as meaningful service? Service at the national, regional, local, etc. 

Answer - (By the way, a really neat piece of advice.) -> C

onnect your service to your scholarship. Take the findings from your paper that may be valuable for practice. Have a brown bag and facilitate a discussion in the community. Marry the two (research and service).

 Make your teaching, research, and service fit with one another.

 Make sure your research and your personal interests merge with one another.

Question -

How do you protect your research time? 

Answer - Try to carve one or two writing days a week.

Question - How do you make yourself stand out on your CV? 

Answer - Market yourself through your experience and your research. 

Strategize! In your doctoral program, try to figure out what will make you stand out! Run for an office position and gain a national platform. Network with others who can mentor you!

What question would you ask the panel?

Sincerely,

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

Life on the Tenure Track - I Was Invited to Attend the Division J Emerging Scholar Preconference!!!

Readers,

Today, I am attending the AERA Division J - Emerging Scholars Workshop in New Orleans, LA. It is very exciting! The attendees are from a variety of different univeristies from across the nation! The attendees are from a various universities and I think this is a great opportunity for new and emerging faculty in the field!


Yesterday, I worked for most of the day and night responding to student emails and grading student papers. When I finished my communication for the evening, I visited the concierge lounge. To my suprise, I discovered that they served a FREE meal! Okay, I have to tell you about a wonderful meal - sun dried tomato pasta, turkey tetrazini, salad with balsamic vingerette, french onion soup, and mini cheese cakes! Yum! I am going to have to watch my waistline here. :)


Everyone just finished their introductions and I am so excited to network with such amazing people! They also have a panel discussion focused on higher education research and the tenure track.


Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Adopt This Technology - Prezi (A Great Review from Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason)

Readers,

Have you heard of a great online software called Prezi? Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason, a good friend and fellow blogger, recently posted a great blog entry on Prezi! 

Here is a small exert from her blog post!

Prezi, found at www.prezi.com, creates a zooming flow or conceptual map of your presentation that is not limited to the confines of a slide. When you are ready for a certain topic, the screen zooms toward that topic, it becomes the center of the screen and sized to be viewed as the focal point. When you transition, the screen shifts to your next topic and again situates that as the new focal point. Though PowerPoint can be incredibly useful and professional, students often type every word of their presentation on each slide and then read from it. Prezi allows a less-rigid display of knowledge which seems to enhance the students' abilities to speak extemporaneously.

Prezi sounds like a GREAT instructional tool and it seems relatively easy to learn! After reading Dr. Lora's recommendation, I will definitely take a few days to learn how to use Prezi in my classroom! Great job, Dr. Lora!

Sincerely,

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

Going Green on Campus - A Professor's Personal Journey Towards a Green Lifestyle

Readers,


Over the past few semesters, I adopted a green lifestyle to help myself (and my students) make a small attempt to save the planet. Here are some lifestyle changes that I adopted:


1 - I stopped my daily dates with the department copier and I placed all of my class handouts and activities online. The only item that I give my students is a six page syllabus (front and back).


2 - I converted my midterm and final examinations from paper to electronic format by coping and pasting the items to Blackboard, our university's content management system, Blackboard.


3 - I give students a "note card" mini-quiz, in which the students complete two questions related to the chapter. These note cards use less paper and consume less space in my briefcase, while also enabling me to "go green" at the same time.


4 - I recycle all my printed paper. This include materials received via mail, articles, and students' notes.


5 - I print on both sides of pieces of paper. 


6 - I do not print conference schedules and also I do not take home conference bags. As a result, I minimize the amount of materials in my luggage. :)


7 - I use a reusable water bottle.


8 - I decorate my office with professional, yet trendy items from Goodwill.


9 - I use florescent light bulbs in my office.


10 - I use Google Documents in class to help the students avoid printing costs. Through this process, I always have access to the students' papers and they do not have to print a final copy of their papers.


11 - I practice organic gardening and consume my own veggies!


12 - I use my iPad to read academic papers and books.


These are my SIMPLE, yet effective ways to go green. I would love to read your green practices as well! :)


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