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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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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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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Academic Author Publication Grants

Dr. King Awarded $750 TAA Publication Grant

Dr. Kathleen P. King, a professor of education at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education in New York City, has been awarded a $750 TAA Publication Grant for expenses incurred in researching her co-edited book, The Professor’s Guide to Taming Technology: Leveraging Digital Media, Web 2.0 and More for Learning, which will be published by Information Age Publishing, Inc. in July 2010.

“This grant is not only a surprise and tremendous monetary help, it is extremely validating as well,” said King. “I am very grateful on each account. In the past, some of my books have been based on funded research or were less intensive in the editing process. However, this book has turned into a large project because we have a unique, very valuable contribution to the literature as our goal. From all of the TAA members, thank you for your forward thinking in providing a potential source of funding for us to pursue special projects that we might not be able to otherwise.”

The entire grant will be used to defray a good part of the costs King personally incurred in the book’s development, including research assistant searches, transcripts and copy editing assistance.

How You Can Apply for a TAA Publication Grant: Download a PDF form and mail to: TAA Executive Director Richard Hull, 3241 Heather Hill Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32309-2307. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2010. (You must be a member of TAA; however, according to Dr. King it is well worth the low cost and great benefits)

“There are many aspects to writing and editing an edited volume that are……

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Educational Commentary with Dr. King: KSCO Radio

Don’t Miss Out -A Dynamic Trio Deep in Discussion on Santa Cruz Radio – What a Meetup!

David Coursey, Vernon Vernon, and Dr. Kathy King went head-to-head-to head on a wide range of educational issues Thursday November 20, 2009 on KSCO radio 1080 Santa Cruz. And for your listening pleasure you can hear it all here.

We have it captured and on demand.

You do not want to miss the opportunity to hear this lively discussion and opinions ranging on topics from ….

• 32% tuition increase at Univ. California announced prior day!
• Class sizes in k-12 and higher education
• Tracking of students
• Purpose of education

………………..

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Five Strategies For Success – Riding the Wave of Changing Careers Trends

A friend who knows I am a specialist in career change recently asked me, “What industries are seeing growth and can anyone transition into those in-demand careers?” Her question was drawn specifically from a recent article in USA Today, about how specific industries have been supported by recent developments, economic stimulus and economic developments. This article provides timeless strategies for you to always find answers to those critical questions and advance your career.