White Water Rafting

My question to the class is what is the best way to handle the student who falls asleep during class?  I do not currently teach any didactic courses (the students don't typically fall asleep in clinc because there is too much going on!), but I have noticed this throughout my own education and as I have observed in other instructor's classes.  As a matter of fact, I was observing a lecture this week and two different students were out!  One of them actually moaned out loud!  This particular instructor did not address it, but I do not know if I could overlook it as an instructor.  What do you think is the best way to handle this?  Thanks for the help!!

"Tough Decision"
Define the decision clearly.
Do I want to remain in my current position as a clinical instructor or apply for a full time didactic instructor position when it comes available next year?

Consider all of the possible choices.
1.  Remain in my current position as a clinical instructor.
2.  Apply for didactic instructor position.
3.  Give up current position and just keep my PRN position with the hospital system.

Gather all relevant information and evaluate the pros and cons of each choice.
Choice 1.  Information needed:  Is my current position secure?
       Pros:

•  I am comfortable in my current position.
•  I know it inside and out.
•  I am able to keep my radiologic technology skills current
•  I get to see the students apply their knowledge

       Cons:

•  As I age, the physical aspects of the job get harder. 
•  I do not know if I will be able, or if I want, to do this job until retirement age.

Choice 2.  Information needed:  Do I have the knowledge base to be able to teach the content?  Do I have the instructional skills that will be required?
       
       Pros:

• Less physically taxing
• Different and challenging
• Exciting to change career path
• More security in position
• Could still get contact hours with the students in clinic

       Cons:

• Uncertainty about my teaching abilities
• More mentally and emotionally stressful for a while

Choice 3.  Information needed:  Do I have the financial means to go to PRN status?

          Pros:

• Only work when I wanted to
• Flexibility of schedule
• Time to do other things

          Cons:

• No stable income/no benefits
• Rely on the hospital needs
• Would not get to work with the students on a consistent basis

Select the choice that seems to best meet the needs of the situation. Anticipate the consequences of each choice by preliving the choices.
Choice 1:  I remain in my current position and do not apply for the upcoming opening for a full time didactic instructor.  I will probably regret not taking a chance to change the direction of my career.  I really do not see myself being able to physically do this job until I am retirement age, so I guess I would have to make a decision about that when the time came.

Choice 2:  I apply for the didactic instructor position.  If I got the position, I would remain a full time state employee.  I can see myself teaching until retirement age.  The first few years will probably be stressful just because it would be a new situation for me.  But I believe I could handle it with the support and help of other faculty.  I could also continue to get some contact hours with the students in the clinical setting and  I could keep my PRN position with the hospital.  This would help me keep my clinical skills current and applicable.

Choice 3:  I would give up my full time position and remain PRN for the hospital system.  I would be stressed out from having to worry about getting hours and having no benefits.  I know I would get bored because I am so used to working a set schedule.

Implement a plan of action and then monitor the results, making necessary adjustments.
Choice 2 seems to be my answer to my "tough decision".
This fall, I plan to assist in the labs and sit in on the lectures of the courses I would be teaching if I got the open position. (The position will be vacated fall 2013).  I will also get to see what goes on "behind the scenes" of preparing for these labs and lectures. This will give me the opportunity and time to contemplate this decision and see if I think it would be something that I want to do for the remainder of my career.
         

Assignment 4.2
What have I learned about my learning style?
I have learned that I prefer an analytical, logical, sequential presentation of information or content.  I also fall into the "judging learning style", characterized by having strong opinions, being very organized and structured, and disliking ambiguity.  Practical application of content is also important to my learning process.

How does my learning style affect my teaching style?
It is important for me to realize that everyone does not process information the same way that I do.  I tend to present information sequentially and orderly.  However, using a variety of methods to present content just makes sense.  Of course, this is exactly what a logical learner would say!

How can I use this information with my students?
I can use my organizational skills to make the expectations of the class clear to the students.  I can use a variety of methods to present the content so that it will appeal to the different learning style preferences.  One of the most insightful things that I learned was that not every student will learn what I intend for him or her to learn.  I just always assumed that each student learned exactly what I was trying to teach.  But I will try to teach in way that is approachable, interactive, and effective.

I believe that learners have individual learning style preferences.  I also believe that content lends itself to being taught a certain way.  For example, it would be very difficult to teach art without using visual, music without sound, or something like CPR without demonstration and hands on.  I think students should understand where their strengths lie, but not be handicapped by them.  We use many different evaluation and assessment methods in our program.  We would be doing our students a great disservice if we only evaluated them based upon their learning style preferences, as the text describes.  Upon completion of our program, the  students must sit for a national registry in order to become registered technologists.  This is a 200 plus, multiple choice question examination.  The answers to the questions are not up for debate.  There is only one correct answer.  According to the text, this is great for the auditory learner, not so good for the visual or tactile learners.  However, because the students have been exposed to these types of evaluations throughout the program, they are prepared to take this examination.  We have had 100% first time pass rate for the previous five years or so, and this year we were 95%.  I think because the students are evaluated in many different ways, as described in the text, they are prepared not only for the registry, but for work in the “real world” setting.  In conclusion, I do not think it is a good idea to only evaluate and assess based upon a student’s learning style preference.

I was taught that individuals are responsible for their actions, their choices, the consequences of those choices, and that you have to work hard to succeed in life.  I have always believed the same thing about learning.   I know this flies in the face of the entitlement society we live in, but we are not entitled to an education.  We have to work hard financially, emotionally, and mentally to be successful learners.  Adult learners make the choice to further their education and are ultimately responsible for doing so.  However, I now have a better understanding of learning styles and preferences and believe that both the teacher and learner share in the responsibility of learning.  The first step is for both to be aware of the differing learning styles and to decide which one they prefer.  If the teacher does not teach to the strength of the way the learner learns, this should not be used as an excuse by the learner to not do well.  Also, the teacher needs to realize that everyone does not learn the same way she does and should deliver the content in a variety of ways (when the content allows).  Even if the teacher does not feel she should have to "cater" to all learning preferences, delivering the content in a variety of ways will just make the class more interesting in general.  The goal of student success should always be in the forefront.  I think this can be done without compromising the belief that the student is ultimately responsible for learning.  As an instructor, I can use lectures, pictures, charts, videos, demonstrations, etc, but I can not make the student want to learn.

I named my blog Amy's Two "Sense" because that is what my mother always said when someone was giving their opinion about something, except of course she was saying two "cents"!  It just seemed appropriate for this setting.  I have found that people don't always appreciate the two cents, but it doesn't stop me from contributing!