I've been doing it all wrong. In my class when I teach a topic, I often try to show a video that relates to the topic. For instance, if I'm talking about logistics, I like to show this video of FedEx delivering a pie from Virginia to Hawaii during the Christmas holidays. (warning - don't … Continue reading The Powerful Effect of Cat Videos When Teaching Accounting
This is the 31st in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the text from that ad. Last month we ran a pledge for students to sign and said it would … Continue reading The Power of Parents
Today I had one of my students, who is doing an internship with Teach for America (TFA), give a five-minute presentation to our class on the TFA program and encourage students to give some thought to becoming part of the "corps". The timing could not have been better; in today's Wall Street Journal there was … Continue reading The Power of Teach for America
His life was cut short at the young age of 38, but Harry Chapin still managed to make a difference. Harry was well known not only for his musical success, but also for his work as a humanitarian. He was particularly devoted to the cause of World Hunger. Harry wrote and performed what are known … Continue reading A Song That Every Teacher Should Hear
The Wall Street Journal is at it again. Today it had a story, "A Studied Look: Fall Menswear’s Professorial Style", that looked at the newest outfits allegedly designed for college teachers. I've written before about the outrageous clothing for men that is often featured in the Wall Street Journal, but as a college teacher, I … Continue reading I Don’t Know Any Teachers Who Dress Like This
This is the 21st in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the text from that ad. A University of Chicago study shows Russian high school students are ten times better … Continue reading Johnny and Suzy Better Get Cracking
This is the 17th in a collection of newspaper ads written by Harry Gray, then CEO of United Technologies, that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Can you explain the self-evident truths of our Declaration of Independence? The checks and balances of our Constitution? Do you know … Continue reading If You Think You Know a Lot, Take This Test
This is the ninth in a collection of newspaper ads from United Technologies that appeared in the Wall Street Journal from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Here is the original ad. How dumb? Very dumb. It's the American who knocks what he's got. Here's what he's got: A country of unbounded beauty. Almost … Continue reading The Dumbest Person in the World
Today I had the opportunity, along with two other teachers, to observe and evaluate another faculty member’s teaching. After the class, the three of us met to discuss what we had just observed and to gather data for our written report. While I’m not at liberty to share anything about our classroom visit, one item … Continue reading Teaching, Curiosity, and Nursing Homes
As part of my evaluation at work, I have been asked to submit a statement of my teaching philosophy. You would think after 28 years of teaching I would either have such a statement, or at least be able to easily articulate what that philosophy is. Sadly, I do not have a statement, nor am … Continue reading My Teaching Philosophy
Borden's Blather 