My Thoughts Were Lost in the May Mester!

Hello! I taught a May Mester course for the past few weeks and it was very demanding. As a result, I had to take a small break to focus on the three week course. That was last week, but the funny thing is... it doesn't seem like this week will be any easier. Here's my to do list:

a) take car to the dealership
b) finish article outline - e-mail to Lora
c) revise communication article - Due Date - June 13th
d) upload blackboard course content (working on it now)
e) disperse syllabus slideshare presentation
f) organize my desk
g) finish IRB info. for partner institution

Well, I will post more information soon. Wish me luck!

Chat Y! messenger: drjtedwards Skype: drjtedwards

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The 150th Post! Thank you!

Today is my 150th post. This has been a LONG journey, but a much needed one. Sometimes, I feel that I have to express my gratitude, triumphs, and sorrows to someone. This blog and all of you (the readers) enabled me to blossom during the past year and a half.

Through this blog, I have come in contact with many interesting people. This people include:

a) Amy - The Ch-Ch-Changing Librarian
b) Amanda - An outstanding librarian from my institution
c) Dr. Lora (*smile) - My SSCA friend and research partner
d) The Millennial Law Professor
e) Jaclyn Schiff - A fellow millennial, who is bound to make a strong impact on society.
f) Dr. Julie-Ann M. McFann - The new professor mentor.
I have been intellectually touched by many of you, but sometimes I forget your names. Please forgive me if I accidentally left your name off of the list.


If you have not subscribed to this blog, please do so. I keep a running count of readers, followers, and subscribers through google. It makes me happy when I have a few additional readers than the previous day! :)

Helicopter Parents and Their Millennial Student(s)

Helicopter Parents are EVERYWHERE! Fortunately, I have not have the pleasure of speaking with any of my students' parents (outside of summer orientation/parent's days). However, some of my colleagues have had the pleasure of doing so on a regular basis. I try to keep myself abreast of the new articles regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, but it seems parents (and students) utilize a variety of strategies that may challenge the rights provided by this act.

For example, it seems that a few millennial undergraduate students give their parents access to their university (and personal) e-mail addresses. Sometimes, I will receive an e-mail from a "student", only to discover that the e-mail was written by a parent and submitted through the students' e-mail or blackboard account. However, all of the e-mail that I received (via their student's account) have been focused on upcoming or past absences/sicknesses.

As a professor from the millennial generation, this was very surprising to me for a variety of reasons:
a) I would never give my mother (or father) access to my e-mail account.
b) My parents just learned how to send e-mail. However, they do not use the feature frequently.
c) I feel that college independence contributes to the student development process. Therefore, students should learn how to prepare for the post-graduation world through this four (perhaps five or six) year acculturation process.

Today, I found an article titled, "How Not to Be a Helicopter Parent - but Still Be a Parent". It seems this article/book's content will help our undergraduate students' parents become less involved in their students' lives, but more involved in sustaining a positive experience that conducive for student growth and development.

What experience do you have with helicopter parents? What are your opinions of helicopter parents?

Millennial Professor

Tangential vs. Non-Tangential Teaching Styles

Today, I discovered an article focused on tangential, but relevant comments from professors during their lectures. This article, "Classroom Teaching Methods: Are Your Lectures Sidetracking Student Learning?", made me think about my teaching style.

I thought this article was interesting, because I have never had a professor who excluded tangential comments from their lecture. The researchers utilized an experimental research design to discover if tangential comments enhance or slightly diminish a student's ability to retain important details from a sample lecture.

Their research study yielded results that affirm null hypothesis that many professors believe - tangential, but relevant comments enhance the lecture and the students' ability to retain vital information from the lecture. I will have to try tangential vs. non-tangential lecture styles during my two interpersonal communication classes next fall and I will employ the note card technique to test the results.

For those of you who deliver workshops or teach college/high school courses. What do you think of these results?

Millennial Professor

What? I Have to Be ACCOUNTABLE for My Words?: Professors and Online Content

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/

Some colleges and universities are encouraging their faculty to record their lectures and to post them online (either a university-based website or a site like youtube). However, professors are on both sides of the fencepost on this issue. Some professors are excited about the possibility of uploading their lectures online and others are afraid of the potential consequences.

Recently, the Chronicle of Higher Education featured an article titled, "Caught (Unfortunately) on Tape: More College are Recording Lectures, so More Professors are Learning to Watch Their Words". In the article, one of the professors stated, "[W]hen it [the lecture] is recorded, "and you say something you shouldn't-you make a joke about a fellow scholar-then what if it gets out and suddenly you're sued for slander?""

http://www.flickr.com/photos/courosa/

Slander is one of the many issues that professors encounter in their journey towards tenure/ promotion in the digital age. Despite all of the video cameras and recording devices that currently exist or that may appear in classrooms in the future, I believe professors should maintain a sense of self in the classroom. I worry that professors will not be comfortable in their own skin if they fear the potential repercussions of their statements.

"Most classrooms are still free of microphones and cameras (the latest Campus Computing Survey, which tracks information-technology trends, showed that only about 3 percent of courses are recorded)" (Young, 2009, p. A17). However, the last sentence of the article states, "Some professors suggest that the best approach is to go into every class session assuming that their words could be broadcast to the world" (p. A17).

I believe professors should take this information into consideration. It seems more universities are offering online courses to cope with the recession (Pawlowski, 2009). Therefore, more professors may be asked to upload their lectures to compliment their PowerPoint presentations. Who knows what the future may bring to the higher education environment? It is always advantageous to be prepared!

Millennial Professor

References

Pawlowski, A. (2009, March 18). Ride out the recession in a virtual classroom. CNN.com. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/18/economy.online.degrees/

Young, J. (2009, March 20). Caught (Unfortunately) on Tape: More College are Recording Lectures, so More Professors are Learning to Watch Their Words. Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(28), A17.

Some Facts about Our College Freshmen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkyhack/

Last month, Spectra (a monthly publication from the National Communication Association) featured an article titled, "On Freshman's Minds: A Statistical Profile". This article included information from the UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute titled, "The American Freshman: National Norms for Fall 2008." The statistics for this report featured information from surveys administered to 240,580 first-year students attending 340 baccalaurate colleges and universities in the U.S. Here are some facts from this report:

I. Miles from College to Permanent Home: 4.9% of freshmen live five (5) miles or less from home 5.8% of freshmen live six (6) to ten (10) miles from home 24.3% of freshmen live 11 to 50 miles from home 17.3% of freshmen live 51 to 100 miles from home 33.0% of freshmen live 101 to 500 miles from home 14.1% of freshmen live over 500 miles from home
II. Student Rate Self Above Average or Highest 10 Percent in: 75.2% Drive to Achieve 73.7% Cooperativeness 69.5% Academic Ability 67.2% Understanding of Others 61.8% Leadership Ability 60.7% Self-Confidence 58.5% Self Understanding 56.8% Creativity 55.8% Physical Health 54.5% Emotional Health 52.5% Self-Confidence (Social) 47.5% Writing Ability 44.9% Mathematical Ability 39.9% Spirituality 39.4% Popularity 38.4% Computer Skills 37.7% Public-Speaking Ability 30.6% Artistic Ability

What do you think about these statistics? It seems this study's public speaking statistics are reinforced by my students' public speaking goal setting assignment. Their goals indicate the students are not comfortable delivering a speech in front of a group of people. I require the students to reexamine their goals during the midterm examination period. When the end of the semester arrives, my students give their goals a final examination and a written reflection. Overwhelmingly, it seems most of the students are significantly more comfortable with their public speaking ability after completing the course. It would be interesting to see if HERI decides to turn their Fall 2008 study/report into a longitudinal study!

Can Professor Elevate Their Stature By Wearing Heels?

Today's post is personal. This topic is near and dear to me. Yes, this topic is something that I deal with everyday. Shoes!

As a professor of small stature (I am 4'11), I like to wear heels...all kinds of heels (100% of them are Nine West). Short heels, stilettos, pumps...it does not matter on most days. However, I am in a peculiar situation. My classroom is located five minutes away from my office. My daily trek involves some barriers, which manifest themselves in the forms of gravel, concrete, puddles, wet/dry grass, and stairs. Some people may think this topic is trivial, however this topic affects my yearly personal investments...my collection of shoes.

When I finally arrive at my daily destination (my classroom), I have another death defying act to survive - maintaining my balance in my selected pair of shoes for three hours. My students present more physical barriers (i.e. - backpacks, books, chairs, etc.). By now, the students know that I lose my balance easily and they remove their personal items from the aisle.

Ladies - What kinds of shoes do you prefer to wear in the classroom/across campus?

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor

Twitter in the Classroom

This week, I started something new... I incorporated twitter in my course!

Here's the assignment:

Twitter Extra Credit Assignment (Due by April 24th) - WORTH 12 POINTS

Step 1 - Create a twitter account. Add (follow) the following people to your twitter list - Dr. Edwards (my username is "drjtedwards") AND at least five people from our class (their usernames will be in the title of their messages).

Step 2 - Update your twitter feed (140 words or less) at least two times per day for four consecutive days.

Step 3 - Reply to this message with your username in the title (please see my example).

Step 4 - In your reply, please respond to the following questions (1/one paragraph per question):

A. What were your opinions of twitter? In what ways would you think twitter would be beneficial?

B. Do you plan to continue using twitter? Why or why not?

C. What impact will twitter have on the communication field?

If you have ANY questions, please let me know.

I will post updates next week. This entire twitter phenomenon is getting pretty interesting!

How have you incorporate twitter into your classroom OR training?

Millennial Professor

Class Ideas - Mini Quizzes for Millennials

Another week, more amazing students. Last week, I tried a new teaching strategy. Mini-Quizzes! This idea was inspired by the BK Burger Shots... the new mini burger. This idea was wonderful! I was able to detect how much the students were learning from the in class lectures and whether or not the students were able to apply the in-class concepts to hypothetical situations.

Step One - Each student receives either a colored or white note card.to every other student in the class.


Step Two - I gave the following instructions via Powerpoint:
Step Three - The students with white note cards were instructed to complete the white side of the "test your knowledge" and students with colored note cards were instructed to complete the colored side of the "test your knowledge" section. Students were given five minutes to complete their note card. Each section of my classes received a different set of "test your knowledge" questions.


My Analysis - I try to keep my classes organized and color coded. This activity enabled me to keep each of the classes in a binder clip and each of the binder clips in ONE PLASTIC BAG. This assignment was heaven! Despite the organizational nature of this assignment, I was able to gauge whether or not the students were learning the material.


Most of the students remembered at least one aspect of the chapter material that pertained to the "test your knowledge" section. This impressed me and I will definitely use this assignment for another chapter.


Student Motivation - Some students made 100% or more (bonus points) on this 5 pt. assignment. I like to reward students who do exceptionally well on assignment by giving them a special message. This time, I attached Knock Knock Stickies (Office Supplies) to the note cards that read:

You're Cool Because: (check one please) ( ) You work hard. ( ) You try hard. ( ) You listen. ( ) You're hilarious. ( ) You help out. ( ) Just because. *Then the sticky provides a space for comments.

What do you think about this assignment? The millennials seem to like it.


Millennial Professor

Residental Learning Communities: A Win Win Situation!

I am very interested in Residential Learning Communities. Every semester at XYZ institution, I've taught a communication course that features students from university's RLC. I think that the RLC concept is one of the most positive life-altering programs a university can offer their students.

Today, I received an article (via RSS feed) from the University of Connecticut. This program pairs incoming freshmen with other like-minded peers who wish to explore their intellectual and social interests. Therefore, a communication major who has an interest in jazz music could choose to live in a residential community of peers who love jazz music! To learn more about concept, please visit the following link - Residental Learning Communities Help Foster Student Interest.

Help a Millennial Professor!!!

Hello!

Please help me improve this blog by taking a short poll! This poll is located at the top of the blog - http://millennialprofessor.blogspot.com/

Writing Rewards: My Journey Towards Writing a Section a Day

It is almost April. I need to get out of my rut. One of my articles was published in February and I was very happy with my first publication in 2009. However, I need to get BACK on the publishing bandwagon to race towards article number two. I admit, I've been procrastinating and I have not put publishing on my priority list for this year.

As a result, I plan to try the "Write a Section a Day" and "Writing Rewards" (as suggested by Jeffrey L. Sallaz) methods. A Vice President for Student Services/Associate Professor of Higher Education for one of the institutions in Texas told me, "Jennifer, there are two types of writers. The first type is a continuous writer and the other type is a binge writer." Personnally, I will exclaim that I am a binge writer! I teach four classes every fall and spring (plus one to two classes in the summertime). I love to spend hours completely engrossed in an interesting subject matter. However, I do not get that luxury during the school year. As a result, I complete most of my writing on the weekends and in the summer. This works for me, but I want to try another strategy.

Here are the goals for my writing journey:
a) Write at least one paragraph a day.
b) Log-on to the library's databases (Ebscohost) at least once a day.
c) Write a blog update on the writing journal at least once per week.
d) Complete an article Thursday, April 30th.
e) Remain in contact with Lora (a fellow Ed.D. in Speech Comm.) about our joint writing endeavors.

My Writing Rewards:
a) After each successful writing day, I will eat a snack (Quaker Quakes Rice Cakes - Apple Cinnamon). <- My fav.
b) After each successful writing week, I will embark on a shopping endeavor.
c) After each successful writing month, I will take a one to two day mini vacation for writing. (I wrote many parts of my dissertation in various hotels/resorts (conferences, etc.) in Texas. They are quiet places to work with minimal distractions.

I think these rewards are reasonable.

Please keep me motivated. I hope this will work.

Millennial Professor

Millennials and Their Digital Dirt

Today, I am exhausted. I think that it has something to do with the time change (this is my first week back after spring break). Besides my exhaustion, we had three wonderful "Digital Dirt" presentations in class today. Career services always sponsors these presentations and I think they are very informative for our students.

The following topics always emerge in the discussion portion of the presentation:
a) employers do not have to right to look at our facebook profiles
b) what we do in our private lives is our business

These topics emerged today, but one student commented, "If we put it [the content] up there [on facebook], we should take responsibility for it [the content]." The career services representative was floored by the student's comment and I was excited that this freshman student had such a strong professional stance at this point of her academic career.

I administer a pre-test and post-test to gauge the students attitudes/perceptions of their facebook/myspace profiles. At this point, I think we have over 500 surveys. I cannot wait to run the stats!

Millennial Professor

Ms. Mentor! I Need Your Advice! (Book Review)

Over the break, I had the pleasure of reading, "Ms. Mentor's New and Ever More Impeccable Advice for Women and Men in Academia" by Emily Toth. I think Ms. Toth is the same woman that responds to the "Ms. Mentor" column in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

This book referred to the pleasures and perils that faculty encounter on most college campuses (especially on the tenure track). The chapters in this book range from "Stewing in Graduate School" and "Love and Sex in Academia" to "You're Hired! Early Years in a Strange New World" and "What is Life After Tenure?"

These chapters were relatively eye opening, but I really enjoyed a section titled, "What Do College Teachers Do?" in "The Fine and Quirky Art of Teaching" chapter. In this section Toth (2009) offers a mind boggling statement:

Ms. Mentor urges her flock - teachers and would-be teachers - to take stock of themselves once they begin teaching. It can be the most rewarding and enriching job on earth, and the most challenging...No other professions, except maybe courtroom law and standup comedy, pay us for constantly thinking, and for keeping our intellects sparklingly alive (p. 125).

In the same chapter, Toth gives advice to all faculty who wish to make a difference in their students' lives:

Learning students' names, create discussion circles, make chat rooms, assign hands-on group projects, require in-class presentations, encourage role playing. Today's students learn by doing - making a Civil War - era quilt from a pattern found on the internet, writing a sonnet...You may fear that you're denying your students access to The Expert (you). But if they are teenagers, most would rather interact with each other than listen to you (p. 141).

I strongly believe the last sentence of the prior paragraph. I was a millennial student and now I am a professor from the millennial generation. I have been in the same seats that the students are currently seated in. As a result, I know the boredom that some of them experience in the classrooms every day.

In addition, the book features a great bibliography. Some books that I plan to request through interlibrary loan are:

"I'm the Teacher, You're the Student: A Semester in the University Classroom" by Patrick Allitt

"Will Teach for Food" by Cary Nelson

"In Pursuit of Knowledge: Scholars, Status, and Academic Culture" by Deborah L. Rhode

I hope you enjoyed the short book review!

Millennial Professor

The Monday AFTER Spring Break

Amazingly, I am very excited about this week. My students had a break (thank goodness) and they are refreshed and ready to go. Surprisingly, the students on the back row of the class were extremely responsive today. Thank goodness for spring break!

Here's an update from Friday's list.

a. grade a qualitative blackboard test

b. update my google calendar (for work and home)

c. start my literature synthesis for research with Lora (keep me accountable)

d. create a HBCU/HWCU research boot camp strategy for my grant

e. find a journal for the HBCU/HWCU article

f. reply to my google and university e-mail accounts

g. critique speech topic proposals

This week, I have to:

a. Post the COMS 101 Online Weekly Assignments/Chapter 5 Notes

b. Grade a late speech

c. Start my literature synthesis for research with Lora (keep me accountable)

d. Create a HBCU/HWCU research boot camp strategy for my grant

e. Find a journal for the HBCU/HWCU article

f. Finish my presentation for the Gulf South Summit on Service Learning and Civic Engagement

g. Return some books to the campus library.

Seven items so far! I am excited! In addition, I turned in my grant proposal paperwork. Thank goodness! Now, time for the research!

Millennial Professor

The Blissful Back to School Process

I am too excited! My university goes back to school next week! No, I am not insane. Since last Friday, I have organized and cleaned EVERY inch of my house. In fact, I made a list:

Msg. sent to a friend during spring break...
I bought groceries, rearranged my office, swept the floor, cleaned the fridge, baked banana nut muffins, cooked dinner every night, purged lots of paper (ready for recycling), starting online bill pay for ALL of the household bills, started updating our monthly menus on a 2 week rotation (let me know if you want to see it).... I think that's it. In addition, I plan to finish reading three books before this "filled" week is finished. over with and I need to grade papers.

During the next 72 hours, I need to start my school preparation process. I need to:

a. grade a qualitative blackboard test
b. update my google calendar (for work and home)
c. start my literature synthesis for research with Lora (keep me accountable)
d. create a HBCU/HWCU research boot camp strategy for my grant
e. find a journal for the HBCU/HWCU article
f. reply to my google and university e-mail accounts
g. critique speech topic proposals

Okay, I need to get started!

Millennial Professor

Does a Professor's Attire Have an Impact on Student Learning?

The University of Cincinnati's Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning has a blog titled, "ProfPost". This website featured a VERY interesting video on the impact of professor's clothing on student learning. (As I stated before, I ALWAYS wear a suit to class.) I wonder a professor's attire has an impact on student respect or learning.

Here's the video from the ProfPost website.

Time Tactics of Very Successful [Professors] - Book Recommendation

Yes! After reading Time Tactics of Very Successful People by B. Eugene Griessman (a college professor) for three weeks, I finally finished it! This was a very intriguing book on tried and true, time management tactics. It seems our jobs are requiring more in less time. This requires many professors and student affairs professions to work during the evenings and on weekends.

This book has many great ideas on how professionals can effectively manage their time. Since graduate school, I have read many books on time management, but other books fail in comparison to this book.

Armed with the time management tactics written in this book, I feel that I will be able to publish at least two articles and deliver at least four professional presentations per year.

By the way, I just requested The Achievement Factors by Griessman through our library's interlibrary loan system.

Millennial Professor

*Has anyone else read this book?

If Students Meet the Requirements, Should They Receive As for their Effort?

According to Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes, an article in the New York Times, most millennial undergraduate students feel they should receive As for meeting the minimum requirements for their classes.

Since the beginning of my teaching career, I have held steadfast to an "above and beyond" principle on assignments and tests. On the first day of classes, I tell the students about this principle.

The Above and Beyond Principle
If you do what is required, you will receive a "B". If you go "above and beyond" the requirements, you receive an "A". For example, if a test question asks "Please list and explain at least two of the four windows in the Johari window", I am really looking for three or all four windows in the Johari window. In addition, before the test, the students receive a grading rubric for the qualitative questions.

Post-Graduation Boot Camp for Millennial Students
I make sure the students understand that I am preparing them for the post-graduation world. A majority of the entry-level jobs that are available to students after graduation will require them to have an annual evaluation with their supervisor. One of the categories on this annual evaluation will be "exceeds expectations". I try to prepare the students for this category by implementing the "above and beyond" principle. Most of the students understand and adhere to this principle, but others choose to merely meet the requirements.

Millennial Student Meeting the Minimum Requirements
What will happen to these students who choose to meet the requirements when they enter the workplace? Many employers are laying off employees and it seems much easier to release employees who merely meet the requirements.

Processing Questions
Will these students (future graduates) continue to choose the easier way out? If so, what are the implications for the future employers of our millennial graduates?

El Diablo is in the Details: Fundrasing within Academic Departments

For the past couple of weeks, it seems most of my higher ed colleagues received letters from their college or university regarding the economic crisis. Academic departments are coping with economic crisis by implementing one or more of the following steps:

• Increasing the faculty course load from 4:4 to 5:5.
• Increasing the number of students in each class.
• Releasing visiting faculty and adjunct faculty from their duties at the institution.
• Eliminating out-of-state travel.
  
• Decreasing the departmental travel budget.
  

The economic situation for some academic departments is becoming so bleak that they are supplementing their shrinking budgets with external funds from companies.

A few weeks ago, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article titled, "When Ads Enter the Classroom, It is a Deal with El Diablo". This article focused on a professor's plan to earn the department some seed money by advertising for a local business (El Diablo) in his classroom. His advertising plan included the following: placing the restaurant's logo on the class syllabus, dispersing El Diablo stickers to students, and projecting the logo on one of the classroom walls. This plan was downgraded when university administrators heard of his fund raising strategy.

Another classroom advertisement case stems from an article (This Lecture Brought to You By McDonalds) featured on the Colombia Spector Online. Apparently some professors invite Kaplan representatives to advertise their services at the beginning of the year. According to the article, some students are annoyed with this practice and are seeking actual course content in their classes.

A few questions stem from this practice:

1. Why are student services departments (athletic events, etc.) able to accept advertisement dollars while academic departments are not able to accept money from companies?

2. What incentives are professors receiving from their fundraising ventures?

3. What postive and/or negative implications does in-class fundraising have on student learning?

Millennial Professor

Neat Programs for Undergraduate Students

The Online College Blog has a list of almost 70 free or open source tools for undergraduate students. These tools range from "Remember the Milk" and "Jott" to "Inkscape" and "Scriblink".

I think professors can make use of most of these tools as well. "Remember the Milk" can help with personal organization and time management.Professors who attend conferences can post their session slides on "Slide Share".

Here's the link - 69 Free or Open Source Tools for Students.

More Students Are Attending Community Colleges

The economic situation in our country has perpuated a slight change in the higher education environment. According to David Tirrell-Wysocki, a writer from the Associated Press:

"The two-year schools are reporting unprecedented enrollment increases this semester, driven by students from traditional colleges seeking more bang for their buck and by laid off older workers."

His article is available here - Recession Sending More Students to Community Colleges.

The Virtual Campus Tour - Student Interviews on College Click TV

With the help of an informative, yet innovative website - high school juniors, seniors, and their parents have the chance to "meet" students who attend the college or university they are considering. College Click TV enables future students to view the "best [residence halls], the school spirit, night life, Greek life, campus activities, and professors" by watching the streaming video interviews.

My take - Personally, I will recommend this website to students who attend the "College Prep Boot Camp" workshops. Most of these students come from low to middle income families, which may not be able to attend college viewing events.

Here is the Texas A&M University section of the website.

Here is the Boston College section of the website.

Millennials are ENTITLED!

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of reading an older edition of Spectra, a newsletter from the National Communication Association. This issue focused on millennial undergraduate students, who comprise a majority of our college student population.


This article stated, "Today's college students (the Me generation) are more self-confident, assertive, open and direct than previous generations. They are much less concerned about privacy (perhaps they recognize the impossibility of it in such an intrusive age)." I completely agree with the prior statement. Many students do not understand the potential repercussions their online comments or images may have on their job search, career, or political ventures.


The author also contributed, "[Millennials] value and appreciate genuine self presentation and disdain blatant impression management. They don't appreciate that some topics might be taboo and they have little patience for explanations that hide information in service to cultural politeness norms. They are not very audience centered but instead value individual expression." This last statement could be debated, it seems that most of my students focus on their peers' opinions more than their own (clothing, conversation topics, etc.).


I strongly agree with this statement:
"On the need for social approval scale, the average college student in 2001 scored lower than 62% of college students in 1958. Sixth graders were even more pronounced in the declining need in that they came in at the 24% percentile. By the mid-90's college members from generation Me registered higher self esteem than 86% of 1968 peers." The millennials have higher self-esteem than the hippies? Interesting!

Lastly, the author refers to the assertiveness of this generation. She states:
This is a generation that appreciates directness. They don't do well in abstractions so we will be more successful if we find ways to make information concrete, relevant, and active. They were raised on the internet and don't sit still very long for passive learning encounters."

It seems millennial students value hands-on learning (or service learning) experiences in high school and college. "[Millennials] believe in experiential learning and they value their own uninformed opinion. They will question test items and their interpretations in ways that may feel disrespectful because Generation Me has zero tolerance for role governed authority."


Overall, I believe this author's article addresses the "millennial generation" issue effectively. I wonder how professors reacted to this article. How did YOU react to this article?

Andersen, J. (2008, September). Entitled generation. National Communication Association: Spectra. 12-13.

Social Networking for Graduate Students

Why wasn't this website around when I was in graduate school?

One of my favorite research databases (Proquest) released a great website for graduate students. This website, Gradshare, enables graduate students to interact with one another by asking questions and sharing research interests. I imagine this website will play an important role in the graduate student job navigation process. Judging from the conversations I read on various message boards, I believe most colleges and universities will slow their hiring process during the next few months. As a result, such websites will prove themselves vital for graduate school students.

Link to the Gradshare website.

Millennial Professor

This Week is OVER! The To Do/Completed List

My goodness! I cannot believe that this week is over! *Yes, I am secretly excited! 

Here is the to do list for this week:

• Teach classes.
• Upload test and test reviews.
• Design test for the online course.
• Grade discussion questions using rubric.
• Contact second year, tenure track friend at SUNO.
• Write national conference proposals.
• Make journal editor's revisions to the article.
• Hold Tuesday/Thurs (7 pm to 8 pm) virtual office hours via Yahoo IM.
  
• Check e-mail and Bb mail. (6x daily)
  
• Distribute the "Black Undergraduate Student Study".
• Meet with [XYZ] University's Minority Student Leaders President.
• Attend with university-wide committee meeting.
• Attend departmental meeting.
• Attend student services focus group meeting.
• Contact faculty support services about Bb.
• Register for national conference.
• Purchase airline tickets for a regional conference in March. 
• Update blog.

I am happy that the weekend is here. However, I do have to grade papers and score tests over the next couple of days. Ah, the life of a second year, tenure track faculty member. I love it!

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor

In Retrospect...Mentoring Undergraduate College Students

This weekend, my husband and I presented a workshop titled, "Student Leader to Professional" at the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference in College Station, TX.

It seems that the 50+ students who attended the workshop really appreciated the content. After the presentation, a majority of the students had questions about their job search, student organizations, internships, etc. In fact, one of the students asked me to critique her resume.

I love helping students make a successful transition from the college environment to the workplace. In fact, this transitional period is one of my strongest passions in life. Sometimes, I miss supervising undergraduate students in a managerial capacity. I always tried to make sure that they were professional at all times (personal and professional). In fact, many of the students that I supervised at my former university still serve as my mentees. 

Here's what one of my mentees wrote on facebook.

Thank you!! much of what I have become as a leader is because of you. I do have many people to thank, but a greater thanks is extended to you- as you have molded much of what I am, the first few years of a college student's career are vital. there arent enough words to thank you, Im so thankful that I had you to look up to.

This student recently graduated and I was suprised to receive a message from him. I truly enjoy observing students when they effectively apply concepts and theories in their everyday lives, but student affairs was different. I supervised students who are professional alumni of their undergraduate institution. In fact, one of the students is working on his master's degree in student affairs.

This is my second year at XYZ university, but I feel that I have to work harder to sustain a mentoring relationship with my students. Many of these students take my 100-level course as a requirement of the core curriculum. However, a few of our non-majors have taken my upperlevel classes as electives. In fact, one student (that was undecided as a freshman) decided to become a communication major and has taken EVERY class that I introduced at XYZ university (including a 400-level class when she was a freshman). I feel that I established a mentoring relationship with her and also with students in an organization that I advise.

I hope and pray that I am able to establish a mentoring relationship with our undergraduates and graduates.

Sincerely,

MillennialProfessor 

President Obama's Big Day!!!

I am watching events as they happen this morning. For the past couple of days, my father-in-law has been sending us pictures from the events in Washington, DC. I am glad that someone close to me attended the events in Washington this week. 

As I watch CNN, Fox, CSPAN, and MSNBC, I wonder how many college students are present at today's event. It seemed that a majority of college students were supportive of President-Elect Barack Obama. A majority of students at my campus were supportive of Senator John McCain (according to a campus poll), but I am glad that they were active in the voting process. Personally, I think that both of the candidiates were wonderful, but the people of America supported President-Elect Barack Obama as America's new leader.

I hope and pray that today's events occur without disruption. Bless the new President.

***Take a look at Barack Obama's Myspace Page

Millennial Professor

MLK Day of Service

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! (A Day on, Not a Day Off)

I am too excited about today and tomorrow. As I stated in prior postings, I have always been excited about the presidential elections and this year is no exception.

Despite my excitement, I never bring my political views into the classroom. I strive to state both sides of controversial issues and I gave updates from both the republican and democratic national conventions.

Today, I am happy about the event tomorrow, yet unhappy about lack of MLK Day of Service activities in my area. I would have to travel 50+ miles to the nearest service activity. I would create one, but I am not quite sure how my community would respond to a MLK Day of Service. We are one of the black families in the community.

However, today I plan to prepare for this week's classes. What did you do for MLK day?

Millennial Professor

I Can See You on My iPhone Student Tracking Program!!!

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, article titled, "Stanford U. Unveiled iPhone Application That Will Soon Let Students Locate Each Other". A couple of Stanford University students created an iPhone program that will enable students to find each other on a GPS-like network (with the students' permission). In the future, I wonder will professors be able track our truant students down via iphone when they choose not to come to class. Interesting concept!

Thought provoking questions:

a) Will this program increase the number of reported student stalkings of each other on college campuses?

b) Since most students are engrossed in facebook and myspace, will these GPS-like programs result in more student to student, face-to-face contact?

c) Will more student choose to purchase iPhones?

Why I Became a Professor...From a Former Student Affairs Practioner's Perspective

Why did I become a professor? Well, it has been a long (from a millennial's point of view) journey that just became longer (with the tenure track). 

Timeline

• May 2003 - Graduated with a Master of Arts Degree. Served as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Affairs.
• May 2003 -  Started my first full-time job as a Coordinator of Multicultural and International Student Services.
• May 2004 - Gained admission to a higher education doctoral program (cohort-based).
• August 2006 - Started serving as a full-time adjunct teaching six undergraduate-based classes at a community college and four-year institution in Texas. Began working on my dissertation.
  
• January 2007 - Gained a fellowship in my doctoral program, taught as an adjunct for two community colleges, and continued working on my dissertation.
• July 2007 - Defended the dissertation.
  
• September 2007 - Started the tenure track and a four:four teaching load.
• December 2007 -  Graduated with my doctorate degree.
  
• January 2009 - Projects galore! Can I really survive on eight committees?

I made the switch, because I have some wonderful mentors in student affairs and academia that always push me to my limit. Since I was an undergraduate, I have wanted to become a chief university officer. This dream was derailed when some of my close mentors told me that I could not achieve my dream unless I became a professor. 

So, academia became my new dream and mindset. Instead of fund raising for student affairs programs and planning events, I have to search for grants, publish scholarly papers, present at conferences, serve on committees, and (of course) teach wonderful undergraduates. I love my job. I would not change what I have been blessed to do for ANYTHING.I love it when the undergraduates experience that "a ha" moment when they truly get a concept. I adore the exhilaration that I feel when I receive letter of acceptance for a faculty institute or grant. Most of all, I enjoy the feeling of humility when I receive a rejection letter for a journal or a "revise and resubmit" offer from another journal. This job is challenging, but I would not trade it for the world.

UT Austin is Pushing for Change in Texas' Top Ten Percent Law

It seems like things are changing around Texas. Our wonderful state is known for giving the top 10 percent of high school seniors automatic entry into almost any public higher education institutions in Texas. This basically means that these seniors can attend one of the top public institutions in Texas, the University of Texas at Austin.

This admission perk seems to be a burden for the UT Austin, because many high school seniors are choosing to attend this institution. In fact, according to Education Week, "81 percent of the Texas freshmen entering the university this fall gained admission through the so-called "top 10 percent rule."

As a result, The University of Texas at Austin's President wants to change the law that guarantees automatic entry to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

Read more about this potential law change here.... UT Pushing to Modify Top 10 Percent Rule.

Any food for thought?

Return vs. Investment = The Ivy League Experience

During August, I read an article titled, "Ivy Leaguers' Big Edge: Starting Pay ". This article was eye opening, because I operate under the belief that it does not matter where you attended school (as long as you obtain the degree). As a child of a single parent, I knew that my parents could not afford SAT/ACT prep or afford private school tuition. Therefore, I sought scholarships at public schools.

One of the most surprising statistics was, "According to the survey, graduates of Dartmouth College, an Ivy League college, earn the highest median salary -- $134,000." I graduated from a public, mid-sized higher education institution in Texas with under $2,000 in student loans (thanks to scholarships). Yes, I think that an Ivy League education is wonderful, but I do not think the debt is worth it. Here's the clincher, I worked with a wealth of people who received the Ivy League experience and have the Ivy League experience debt. The most interesting aspect of this clincher is...we earn the same salary and I have less student loan debt. 

Is an Ivy League education worth the debt?

Does Graduate School Prepare Millennial Professors for the Professional Environment?

I really enjoyed my break. I had a chance to visit family, to shop, to wrap gifts, to CLEAN MY HOUSE, and to spend time with my husband. In addition, I temporarily gave up my "24 hour professor syndrome" for three entire weeks. However, on new year's night, I responded to e-mail in my university inbox and I completed a information security training during the celebratory ball descent. 

The interesting aspect of my eventful new year's night is...I celebrated the new year in a completely different way BEFORE graduate school and becoming a professor. Today, I operate under the mantra of professionalism at all times. I never know when I will come in contact with a student at the local Chili's restaurant, Kroger, or at Wal-Mart. 

It is amazing how graduate school acculturates future professors for their teaching job. However, I was a student services practitioner before I joined the tenure track and I gained a wealth of experience in professionalism with undergraduate students.

Do you think that professors should have professional (or more relaxed) relationships with students? Does graduate school prepare millennial professors for the professional environment?

Are High School Students in Rural Environments Left Behind in the College Admissions Process?

In my spare time, I operate "Academic Workshops: The College Prep Boot Camp" with my husband. Through this boot camp, we prepare college students to take the SAT/ACT, inform them about the college admissions process, and navigate through the financial aid process. We focus on rural communities in Texas.

Many of these students will attend two year or four year colleges/universities. Most of these students indicated that their high school counselors do not help them with the college application or admission processes. In addition, many of these students are first-generation college students who feel that they cannot attend college because of tuition costs.


High school students who live in the urban/suburban environments have access to Go Centers or city-based services. Students who attend high school in rural environments do not usually have access to these services.

What does your state do to reach these students?

The 2009 Outlook -Tenure Track Goals...

I am too excited about this new year! It seems that 2009 is going to be one of the BEST years. I am finished with my doctorate, my family is settled in our community, and I am ready to write. Here are my goals:

a. To maintain work-related interpersonal relationships.

b. To write a scholarly article every two months.

c. To keep the blog updated at least two times every week.

d. To read at least two scholarly articles a week.

e. To keep an organized and updated calendar.

     This year's goals are smaller when compared to last year's goals. I shortened this year's goals to start on a focused path towards tenure. Last year, I gained wonderful mentors that I need to stay in contact with this year. In addition, I will try to attend as many academic conferences as I possibly can. Networking and organization are the keys to a successful 2009!