Monday, August 29, 2011

Hello Fall 2011 (1/5) - The First Day of Classes!

Readers,

Today was the first day of classes at my university. I have two upper-level classes on MWFs and I enjoy teaching these classes EARLY in the morning (9 a.m. and 10 a.m.). Each fall, I teach the same classes, but I change small aspects of the classes according to current research and student evaluations.

I look forward to the beginning of each fall semester, because I purchase a new dress (or suit) for the first day of classes! This year, I purchased a new dress and new shoes (tall shoes) for today's classes! I enjoyed wearing my new outfit for the first day and I always get that new burst of energy from the new clothes and new school supplies! Here's a picture of my new shoes! :)


The first class, Intercultural Communication, is one of my favorites! I enjoy hearing the students tell stories about their diverse experiences. The second class, Interpersonal Communication, is a mandatory class for the communication department and other departments on campus. This class is always filled with wonderful students and I am looking forward for an exciting semester!

Also, one of my dear friends, Prof. Cristi Horton placed the cutest gift on my desk last Friday for the first week of classes! I left the gift on my desk over the weekend, because I needed that extra burst of energy on Monday! I opened the gift and I was very pleased to find a portable post-it note holder for my bag! This gift was much appreciated, because my husband commented on my post-it note "to do list" last night. This summer, I started using 20 post-it notes per day. :) Yes, I recycle at home AND at the office! :)


Both Intercultural and Interpersonal students will work on group research projects this semester. Last semester these projects focused on diversity and the students presented their research at our university's research symposium. This year, we are focused on the Social Media Conference and the students will have to link social media and interpersonal/intercultural issues. 

Today in class, the students chose their topics and many of them are EXCITED about investigating their chosen topics! Last semester's students and this semester's students will be invited to submit their papers for the Tarleton Undergraduate Research Symposium in October, the Texas A&M University System Student Research Symposium in November, and the Southern States Communication Association in March. :)


I hope you had a great first day! 

Sincerely,

J. Edwards



Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Friday, August 26, 2011

New Semester Prep Week (5/5) - (Freebie Friday) - Coupons from 3M (Scotch Tape & Packing Tape)

Readers,


Here is a great opportunity for those of you who are highly organized, desire to be highly organized, or if you are planning to ship some books back to the publisher! On the 3M website, there are some wonderful coupons for Scotch products: http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/promos/welcomecoupon.pdf

- Save $1.00 on Scotch Pop-Up Tape Desk Grip Dispenser
- Save $.50 on Scotch Poster Tape
- Save $1.00 when you purchase TWO rolls of Scotch Packing Tape
- Save $1.00 when you buy one pack of Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches 50 Pack
- Save $2.00 when you buy one Scotch Easy-Grip Packaging Tape Dispenser

Enjoy! 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Thursday, August 25, 2011

New Semester Prep Week (4/5) - The Importance of the Syllabus in Teaching (Stony Brook University)



Readers,

I strive to incorporate a video (or two) at least once a week in my lectures. As I prepare for the fall semester, I wanted to check to see if there were any videos focused on the syllabus and/or the importance of the syllabus in the college classroom. Stony Brook University had some very informational videos about this subject:

Stony Brook University - The Importance of the Syllabus in Teaching (Part 1)



Stony Brook University - The Importance of the Syllabus in Teaching (Part 2)


Enjoy!

J. Edwards



Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

New Semester Prep Week (3/5) - (Wandering Wednesdays) - "Murphy’s Pondering Tree: Mark II" Blog


http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanfordedtech/ (Open Source)

Readers,

This week's Wandering Wednesday post is focused on the "Murphy’s Pondering Tree: Mark II" blog. The author, Steven Francis Murphy, serves as an adjunct instructor of history at a community college. His recent posts are focused on the upcoming semester:




Enjoy!

Sincerely,

J. Edwards



Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.
Become a fan of Millennial Professor on Facebook - http://goo.gl/gnN41
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