Faculty Success – Developing a Research and Publication Agenda

Anyone associated with higher education will acknowledge that tenure track faculty have to perform a fantastic balancing act. Compared to an administrative or line role in an organization, higher education faculty have tremendous autonomy and freedom. However, they face competing demands of many different (and good) opportunities, and for them the stakes are always high. Help is here! This article introduces a powerful strategy for staying on track in the research strand of this competitive journey.

Building a Research Agenda.

Strangely enough, when entering their first tenure track position, often the only research faculty has pursued is their one dissertation. Yes, that is one project over the course of years, with one massive “publication”. Nonetheless, once on the tenure track, faculty have the demand looming over them to publish or perish- and they are solely responsible for their success or failure.

Research Topics.

The first step in taming this unruly situation is to consider the natural extensions or additions to your prior research. Or, if your research is not directly related to your department, the first step is to access a topic which bridges the two and will be respected by your colleagues,

I like to use a large piece of paper and start writing topics in various areas of the sheet. This activity becomes the process of throwing your research ideas down on paper and seeing if there is a logical concept map among your prospective endeavors. Alternatively, one might have a pattern in mind from the start. If so, begin the concept map as a base structure and see how more activities would be connected to this established core or set.

Publication Goals.

Many faculty think that each research project results in a single publication: but seasoned researchers realize there are, in fact, many publishing opportunities to be extracted from ……

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Surviving Teaching Online Courses

Successfully Surviving Teaching Online

Discussion boards, online grade books, virtual office hours, and drop boxes, what am I doing- and what is most important?

These are just a few of the terms and issues online teachers must cope with as they blaze their path through the world of online teaching. This article provides 7 strategies to accelerate your progress and success.

Teaching online courses is not the same as face to face instruction. Even though we have vast experience in the traditional classroom, we have to rethink how to accomplish many of those same positive results and interactions in a virtual environment. This article provides 7 strategies to help every instructor start off on the right virtual foot.

Strategy 1 It’s Personal.

Just like classroom instruction is unique to your teaching style, so is online teaching. Do not feel pressured to teach online like everyone else because no one has the corner on TRUTH in this area. We are at an exciting time of continuing development. Therefore, find small and big ways to express your teaching style in the virtual environment.

Strategy 2 Develop A Learning Community.

Invite students to post their photos or favorite slogans to create a composite class photo. This strategy goes a long way towards developing a feeling of online community. Remember, in this setting, unless you are using real-time video cameras, teachers and students do not see each other. Having a photo to reference reduces anonymity and builds a stronger sense of reality of the virtual community.

Strategy 3 Communicate.

How many ways are there to communicate in an online class? Many more than we usually take advantage of. Plan to use at least 3 strategies each week with your students: blogging, virtual office hours, discussion board, email, audio comments, video comments, chat session, instant messaging (IM), telephone or voice over internet protocol (VOIP) (SKYPE, Gizmo, etc.), grade comments, etc.

Strategy 4 Grading Opportunities.

When posting grades, there is an unrivaled opportunity for teachers to increase communication and feedback with students. Seldom input just a simple numerical grade. Make it a practice to usually include specific comments……..

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Five Successful Writing Strategies for Non-Fiction

Five Strategies to Write Reports, Essays, & Non-Fiction

Many people cannot get started writing because they do not know where to start. In this brief article, I share insight from years of teaching students and professionals of all ages how to prepare professional work.

Which one of the following applies to your struggle with writing?

• Beginning to write;
• Finding a unique angle for your next writing project or
• Discovering a path through the writing process?

The great news is that guidance for all of these concerns are included in this one brief article.

Strategy 1: Research.

Regardless if one is writing fiction or nonfiction, the author must do sufficient research to provide substantial background for the work ahead. This research can take many forms, depending on the type of writing, but it is absolutely necessary to have deep, broad information to provide full detail and accuracy in the account.

Strategy 2: Determine Your Angle.

Once you, the author, have the information, it is critical to determine your unique perspective or angle to approach the topic. How will you introduce your reader to this portrayal in unique way which will sustain his attention through a compelling account? Developing such an approach is a vital starting point.

Strategy 3. Discovering Your Concept Maps.

In order to determine your unique approach, it may be helpful to write key points of information on paper or digital note cards. Examine the information and look for trends, patterns, and groupings of themes or topics. See if you can………………….

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Success As An Online Learner

Surviving Successfully in Online Classes

No mandatory class attendance, early mornings, cold chairs, or long commutes; this is going to be easy? Don’t be fooled! Online courses can be convenient and helpful, but if students do not understand what they need to do, they will be overwhelmed. Let’s do more than even survive - let’s Succeed! This article provides 7 strategies to help online students develop strategies for success and maximum benefit.

Taking online courses is not the same as taking a face to face class. Even though you may have taken traditional classes for many years, the online environment has different expectations and different opportunities which can be missed by the uninformed. This article provides 7 strategies to help every student start off on the right virtual foot.

Strategy 1 Determine Requirements.

Before signing up for an online course, find out what is expected in terms of participation, work, and hours online. Also make sure you have the necessary technology equipment to fully participate. Based on this information, you can make an informed decision and commitment to online learning. Your program, school or company should provide this information in writing for you.

Strategy 2 Make a Plan.

Once you have your syllabus our course outline, note your schedule of assignment deadlines in your current or NEW calendar. (If you don’t use one already, Google calendar is a wonderful online tool that complements this online learning experience.) ALSO, schedule in your times to sit at the computer and sign into your class and do work. The most successful online learners schedule these times as appointments in their weekly calendars rather than leaving it up to just finding a convenient time.

Strategy 3 Stick To It or Modify It Till It Fits.

It is unlikely your schedule/plan will work perfectly form the very start. Success is discovered as you adjust the plan to meet your real life learning needs and competing demands. Document what really is needed and what is available. Now you have a realistic plan, to which you may hold yourself accountable.

Strategy 4 Participate Frequently.

Sign in more than once per week. Participate frequently and you will recoup……

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Five Roadblocks to Successful Writing

Knocking Down Roadblocks to Successful Writing

Having assisted writers for the last 20 odd years in many different capacities (such as professor, coach, and colleague), I have worked with a lot of frustrated and stymied writers. In addition, I have written 17 books and have encountered many writing roadblocks myself which had to be conquered.

Along the way I have developed five favorite ways to successfully knock down those roadblocks and continue the writing journey. Join me as we explore these strategies.

It dawns on you one day….. You might not realize you are confronted with a roadblock. All you know is you cannot write, or you do not know where to start. Or perhaps you cannot figure out how to make the writing gel so that it is compelling on the page…. These, my dear fellow authors, are all different forms of roadblocks. Now don’t be fooled, there are many roadblocks you encounter along the journey of writing. However, the good news is that the strategies we develop, the momentum of success which we build from conquering even these first five, will strengthen us for the marathon ahead. This article will help you buzz by those roadblocks in order to charge ahead towards success.

The roadblock counter-strategies which I share in this brief article take the form of techniques. Indeed, I divulge some of my trade secrets which I use to assist students, faculty and business people to break the chilly stalemate between the keyboard and the blank screen. Be diligent, keep this list close at hand, give these strategies a try, and be ready to choose a remedy when you encounter your next writing emergency. This is your survival kit. Therefore you must become familiar with it in a non-stressful situation; please consider the following points.

Fingers poised over the keyboard…and begin…

Roadblock 1: I can Say it, but I cannot write it.

Sometimes a piece that we are writing just lends itself more to telling. Sometimes we are more gifted as a storyteller or orator than a writer! Nonetheless when we have to put that same account into written form, what are we to do? One solution is so simple people miss it because of that point. Speak the piece aloud! You might use a recorder, voice activated software, or perhaps a really great friend will take notes or transcribe. Basically, the process is the same in all three methods: speak the project, rather than write it. It is amazing how this strategy can unjam the writing roadblock for people. Some authors even discover it moves them towards developing better writing skills over time.

Roadblock 2: Who is my Audience?

Road block 2 oftentimes lurks at the crux of Roadblock 1. However many of us never learned (or in deference to our English teachers don’t remember learning) about audience. Without this understanding, it is very difficult to have a clear view of who we are writing for in our literary eye while we write. However, this trick works wonders for many people with whom I have shared it: when you sit down to work on your writing, close your eyes for a minute and imagine your readers sitting in chairs in front of you. Perhaps they are ……………..

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Writing Your First Book

h1>Five Myths to Overcome when Writing Your First Book

Many people live exciting lives, have great vision or imagination and are compelled to seek the long road of writing a book. Writing your first book is an especially daunting task. Where to start? How do you proceed? What if writer’s block hits? And will I ever find a publisher? These are just a few of the myriad of questions that keep would-be authors away from the keyboard and awake at night as they wrestle with conquering the page.

This brief article is the first in a series which provide guidance for new authors. In addition, perhaps it can also provide inspiration to experienced authors. With this first installment I will begin from the rejection pile as it were: Things Not To Do.

My reasoning is simple, if we can help you eliminate some lethal, bad habits, maybe we can free your fingers so they can dance joyfully over the keyboard once again. Are you game?

Myth 1: Writing a book is like giving birth- one word at a time.

Please let go, live free, and anticipate that this will be the first of several, if not many books. Do not agonize over each word. Let yourself experience the process of writing, revising, writing, and revising. Because after months of careful planning and work you must realize that at a certain point you have to kick that book out of the nest and let it fly.

Myth 2: Writing a book is ugly business.

Enjoy the writing and when you get stuck, no longer are enjoying it, or are otherwise bogged down, change your scene, write a different section, go outside, or sing a song. You have hopefully elected this process of writing, therefore enjoy it. It could be so much worse, imagine if you were digging trenches with your bare hands. This is easy in comparison. Enjoy! Change the …………………….

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Six Strategies For Dealing With Unexpected Job Termination

With over 15 million people unemployed in the USA in late 2009, many people have been faced with unexpected job termination. It is a very rare situation when it is welcome news to learn you are unemployed, but in some circumstances the situation may result in opening a new door of opportunity.

Opportunities for new careers, training, retraining, and career counseling are likely available within the resources of your state or county, local colleges or workforce centers. Sometimes we just need to be reminded to look for new options. This article provides six strategies that people can consider to help cope with unexpected job termination.

1. File and Freshen. In the face of sudden employment, of course the first step of self-preservation is to register for unemployment. However we must remember not to stop there. Instead, individuals with initiative will want to immediately begin looking for opportunities to refresh their skills, update their resume and interview skills even while beginning their job hunt.
2. Upgrade or New Direction. If you have been searching for jobs for a few weeks and are not having luck finding a new position, it may be an opportunity to consider a career upgrade or new career direction. The state or county Workforce Centers, or One Stops, as they are often called, will have career advising services which may assist in such valuable roles as career aptitude testing, and career preferences evaluations. You might also consider whether your career aspirations and goals have shifted since you were last hired. Maybe this is a chance for significant change of direction. If career change seems promising, there are many resources for retraining.
3. Outlooks on Occupations. Occupational profiles, demands and salaries are listed in an easily searchable database at Occupational Outlook Handbook (see link in resource list below). Using this online resource you can explore the occupations which have surfaced as you moved through….
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Seven Myth Busters of Distance Learning

f you have been in the workplace or higher education during the last 5 years, you have heard the phrase: distance learning. And, whether you have used it or not, you probably have formed your opinions about it. This Myth Buster article is meant to open doors of opportunity, and in the process, may create some new ways of thinking.

In this brief article, I expose some of the most common and deadly misconceptions about distance learning. And you want to read this. Why? Because if you do not …..

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H1N1 Planning – Five Ways Businesses Can Cope

H1N1 has certainly raised a host of dilemmas for our global society since spring 2009. Not only have we coped with racing to develop and distribute a suitable vaccine, but we also have had to develop strategies for coping with multiple and extended absences at work and at school. To say that this has been a difficult time is an understatement, but it has also been an opportunity to rethink prior assumptions which have long been unchallenged.

Since spring 2009, H1N1 has raised a host of dilemmas for our global society. Not only have we coped with racing to develop and distribute a suitable vaccine, but we also have had to develop strategies for coping with multiple and extended absences at work and at school. To say that this has been a difficult time is an understatement, but it has also been an opportunity to rethink prior assumptions which have long been unchallenged.

• Recent reports from the USA Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that 44,555 people have been infected with and 4,314 have died from the H1N1 flu as of 11/25/09 (Flucount.org, 2009).
• Worldwide, the figures are 1,041,467 infected and 11, 879 dead (Flucount).

Much as post-9-11 in the USA, companies were developing catastrophic emergency procedures, the media and government are replete with the call for businesses and schools to develop comprehensive continuity plans due to the H1N1 pandemic. How do we go about creating such a plan responsibly and with the input of staff members? And what are the issues involved?

Aside from the loss of revenue as people are not out shopping and have their minds focused on coping with the illness, there is a larger immediate issue which faces all businesses. How do businesses cope with large numbers of people absent from work because they fit into any of the following categories?

• They have a fever (CDC recommends staying home and….

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Five Myth Busters of Changing Careers – Breaking Free to Reach Your Dreams

Aside from the statistics about the sheer number of careers across our lifetimes in 2009, there are a multitude of new perspectives on career planning, and career options. Was it an option to be a network engineer in a small office when you were a youngster?

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