How the Pandemic Is Reshaping the Role of the Instructor

The idea that teaching and learning has been "transformed" in the realm of higher ed, is an understatement when we think of the college learning environment before and now, during the pandemic. Both instructors and learners often share their stories of chaos as they navigated the initial requirement to school online. While many students adapted much quicker to online courses, for instructors who have NEVER taught online, providing quality course work is something altogether more complex.

Many instructors now find themselves in more of a technical space, where facilitating better describes their role than "one who professes knowledge". This is not to say that the instructors' skillset and expertise are not needed, it is quite the opposite. Not only is the subject expert required but the subject expert herself is being challenged to find new ways to remain relevant while imparting much needed knowledge through a variety of virtual platforms and modes. 

Through this shift, there has also been an unquenchable appetite for online teaching and learning resources. These resources have been available and used for some time, but the urgency is now much more apparent. Instructors want to, not only meet the needs of their students and institutions, but they also seem to want to thrive in technical spaces. This desire to thrive during these uncertain times has encouraged a community of teaching learners in a way that has rarely been seen or valued in the past. 

The responsibility of this transformation is being shouldered in every aspect and on every level of the university, from instructional designers, to campus security. The work of ensuring the university continues to provide a quality learning experience has been an Adaptive Challenge to say the least. Meaning, the technical approach to problem solving has been greatly surpassed and now we forge ahead even when the day-to-day challenges pushes us pass our current capacity and the capacity of those who depend on us. 

While expanding us beyond our comfort zones, many instructors have found it both easy and refreshing to say, "I don't" know" or "Can you help me?" Which in the past might have been a very tricky proposition to broach. In this new and emerging higher ed climate, we are all learners and pioneers, which truly lays the groundwork for an atmosphere of empathy that moves beyond theory and ignites practice in a way we have yet to see the full scope of.

And lastly, but arguably one of the most impressive outcomes, has been the willingness for everyone, including institutions as a whole, to share information, tips and tricks, new technologies, etc. as it relates to coping with this paradigm shift. University departments are also sharing and collaborating both externally and internally to further solidify the "we're in this together" spirit often touted via social media outlets. There has also been a similar sentiment with educational technology vendors, many offering  free trials, huge discounts and open access to their products indefinitely. 

This reshaping of the role of the instructor is actually a reshaping of the very world we live in and what it truly means to be a citizen or a member of a learning community. The premise of competition is not as palatable as it historically has been. 

It seems socially distanced face-to-face and virtual learning spaces are here to stay for a while. Meaning the big question looming is, can/should we return to some of the old ways after the pandemic has subsided and more importantly, what aspects of our historical best practices do we want to drag into the present that will present in a way that continues to move us forward, both technically and socially? 

In the comments below, please feel free to share some of your own observations as it relates to the reshaping of higher ed roles, especially those of instructors.

      

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A 

940.898.3427    

             

Start with Your Why...

I'm sure this isn't the first time you've heard the phrase, "Start With Your Why". If you're into professional development literature you might have heard of Simon Sinek's book, which is entitled with this familiar phrase. In Sinek's 2008 book, he discusses the importance of always know the reason why you are doing something well in advance. 

If you think about it, our "why's" often help us navigate the uncertainty that commonly comes along with taking on a new job or developing a new project. When the next steps are not as clear as we would like them to be, we can draw back to our initial reason for embarking upon the endeavor in the first place. Even our approaches to trail and error should be reflective of our "why". This is how environments can have a great idea, create a mission around that idea and hire people to carry out the purpose and never truly have to deal with disorganization or projects going off the rails. The "why" is firmly established and that message is clear to all who are concerned. 

As an instructor, this train of thought can definitely be applied to several aspects of classroom instruction such as:

Learning Outcomes: This mean that the learning outcomes in your syllabus should align with the assignments, the class description and even the reading material. Learning outcomes should always be clearly stated and easy for students to comprehend.

Assignments: Assignments should never be viewed as busy work or time fillers. Creating empty assignments is the quickest way to derail the learning process. Assignments are best engaged when they incorporate elements of the initial mission of the course. 

Class Activities: Whether the class activity is watching a documentary, going on a virtual fieldtrip or completing a research paper, when students understand "why" they're completing the task, this motivates them to participate. Class activities should always be tied into the quizzes, learning outcomes and even final exams and research papers. 

Class Sessions: It is not uncommon for instructors to teach a course and have some days where there is no real direction. In F2F courses that meet frequently it is easy to fall into a pattern of, "just in time" teaching. While this can work sometimes, being prepared and staying on track is much easier when class sessions are consistently planned according to the "why".  

Book Choices: Even your choice for both the mandatory and optional material should reach back towards the "why". Class participation is built on the strength of the ability for instructors to make all readings a pertinent part of the class discussions, the assignments and the overall understanding of the subject matter. It's really hard to get students to read material when there is no direct benefit as it relates to their overall performance in the course. 

Our entire purpose behind why we teach in the first place must be reevaluated over time to be sure we remain committed to developing, designing and facilitating to the best of our abilities, while always searching for new ideas to file under the "why" section of our purpose.

In what ways do you keep your "why" as a primary thought when teaching your courses? Feel free to comment below.

    

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A 

940.898.3427       

Navigating "Zoom" Life!

I don't know about you all but I can honestly say I have never "Zoomed" so much in both my personal and professional life. Who knew this is where we would be when 2020 began?! There are so many meetings, courses and webinars that I would love dearly to attend in person but as I read through the adverts for these events, they always come with a link to a virtual location via Zoom, WebEx or Google Meet. I'm sure I'm not the only one all "Zoomed out", no pun intended. But since this is the new temporary norm, how do we manage our lives around this virtual meeting space without experiencing video conferencing fatigue? So I thought I'd poke around the web to see how others might be handlining this new phenomenon, "Zoom fatigue". 

On Vidyard.com, they suggest that we keep these meetings as short as possible and turn our cameras off often to be sure we're not always trying to fix up before every meeting. Sometimes the fatigue comes from getting ready for the meetings rather than the meetings themselves. As much as we may not be the vain type, no one wants to show up for Zoom meetings looking like they just rolled out of bed. It takes work to prepare and on some days more work than on others. 

The Harvard Business Review, believes that the most fatiguing part of the Zoom call is that many of us think we can multi-task and still receive full benefit. "We’ve all done it: decided that, why yes, we absolutely can listen intently, check our email, text a friend, and post a smiley face on Slack within the same thirty seconds. Except, of course, we don’t end up doing much listening at all when we’re distracted." It is so tempting to reach over and tap on the keyboard when its sitting right in front of us. By the time we complete four or five 3-minute tasks, we've missed 15-20 minutes of our meeting. Release yourself from jumping through mental hoops and save the other tasks when you can give them your undivided attention. 

The Harvard Business Review primarily contributes the mental fatigue to the constant gazing into the camera. Showing that we are listening and paying attention on a Zoom call requires us to be still, look forward and sit without having the benefit of engaging with others the way we would if we were in the same room with them. A quick phone call might be a better option when possible. 

According to, The Daily Clog, there are several physical remedies for Zoom fatigue, such as lying flat on the floor or listening to some soothing music or sounds. "Spending the entire day parked in front of Zoom can leave your body feeling all sorts of achy — especially your back. So let gravity do its thing and become one with the floor." Going from a prolonged vertical position to a horizontal position can be very relaxing for both our minds and bodies. As for soothing music, I often opt for listening to singing bowls, with my eyes shut, while enjoying some deep, belly breathes. I can feel the effects of this exercise almost instantly. 

Keep in mind that not all communication requires a visual, real-time meeting. There's still email, phone calls, text messages and Google Docs (for updating shared documents). It seems that when the pandemic hit, everyone scurried to make the abnormal as normal as possible and a large portion of what is normal for most is seeing people regularly, having face-to-face discussions and building community through frequent interactions. But how much is too much? I would say that enough Zoom has to be determined by the individual. Many have no Zoom fatigue while others are cringing every time a new webinar is suggested. Therefor it is good to keep in mind the frequency of your meetings and whether or not they truly require a Zoom session. taking this approach will lighten the Zoom load for both the meeting organizers and the attendees. 

It does not seem as though masks or Zoom meetings will be going anywhere anytime soon. Practicing some mental and physical exercises to lighten the load may be your best option for now. If you have any tips to share related to combating Zoom fatigue, feel free to share in the comment section below!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A 

940.898.3427     

    

 

The Importance of Having A Good Mentor!

While it is often the choice of many go-getters to go it alone, having some guidance along the way has proven to be a priceless asset at all levels of a person's career. I have personally always had a mentor, as an undergrad in college, as a new grad student, throughout all of my college internships and now as I work through the uncharted territory of completing my PhD. There is nothing like having someone who has accomplished what you're working towards, in your corner, cheering on and guiding you towards success. Below I have listed ten big reasons why having a mentor at all stages in one's career is a must!  

1. There is always someone who is further along than we are. Whether it is our supervisor or a respected colleague, there are always people around us that hold positions of greater influence and responsibility. If you're attempting to take on a leadership role or expand your current duties, who better to lean on than someone close who is already a master at the duties you aspire to undertake.   

2. Personal and professional development is a life-long pursuit. No matter how far we have come, in any position there is always a long way to go. This ever-expanding approach is rooted in technological advancements, our ever-growing social needs and our desire to always bring innovation into the workplace. 

3. We don't know what we don't know. It is so easy to forget that we don't have all of the information needed to do our best on any given day. A mentor can be a promising source of course correction should we find ourselves taking the long way around when addressing an issue there is already a solid solution for. 

4. Mentors can open the door for career advancement. On more than one occasion I have been hired by the very person who mentored me and help mold me into a valuable candidate for a specific position. They tend to know exactly who to talk to, how to talk to them and what areas you might be best suited for in their institution. Mentors have also secured me internships, since they tend to be connected in their field of expertise.     

5. Its never a good idea to be the smartest person in the room. While some might find it flattering to be the person in the room with all the answers and who believes they are the most capable when it comes to making the best decisions, having a mentor handy might encourage us to humble ourselves, and in essence make room for the possibility of new ways of seeing our role.  

6. You can avoid making career mistakes. There is nothing worst than lacking direction that would save you a year or two of your very precious time. When nurturing our careers, if we don't have a specific direction or a solid path to get from one point to the next, we might misuse our most valuable resources. It is much easier to learn from the mistakes of others rather than making them ourselves.  

7. Mentors can see our professional and personal blind-spots. We might think we have a task handled or that our project is airtight, but having the right mentor can act as a career proofreader. They can see aspects of our personality where we might have become complacent.    

8. Mentors offer both encouragement and constructive criticism. A good mentor should never make us feel bad about our shortcomings. They should notice when we're on track and when we need some much needed guidance. Both the great and the not so great should be acknowledged equally.  

9. Long-term friendships can blossom. Although we often outgrow our mentors, this does not mean that we have to dissolve the relationship. Some of my favorite people in the world are former mentors who know exactly how far I have come and to this day, they never miss the opportunity to congratulate me for meeting a goal or rocking a new position.   

10. They help us steer both our personal and professional lives towards success. A good mentor should not only help us advance our careers but they should also help us better balance our professional and personal lives. There is no benefit in being a workaholic. While nurturing a solid career might require some late nights and overtime, free time should always be made for socializing and reconnecting with the people, places, hobbies and pets we care deeply about. 

Feel free to share your own mentor stories in the comment section below!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A 

940.898.3427

The Benefits of Getting to Know Your Students

There are  many benefits to getting to know your students. Creating a more personable experience makes the classroom a place for both growth and nurturing, which often improves engagement. In some traditional environments it is common for students to remain at a distance as it relates to their instructors, however there is a lot to be said for spaces that foster a communal approach to education. Outlined below are five important aspects of teaching and learning that can all be positively affected when there is purposeful effort put towards getting to know your students. 

1. Builds Community. Building community is especially important in the current season of "social distancing", now more than ever instructors are being tasked with the challenge of creating high levels of engagement in both their online and face-to-face courses. It is so easy to feel disconnected when you have very little contact with your instructor. Building community creates a sense of belonging. Through community students are more likely to help each other and lean on each other for basic troubleshooting and assignment clarity. When there is a strong sense of community, students become more self-reliant, which helps to build their confidence. Through a solid foundation of community, instructors and students can create long-lasting academic relationships that are both supportive and authentic.  

2. Allows for personalized instruction. With recent technological advancements in the area of teaching and learning, there has been a rise in personalized instruction. It is no longer a hassle to teach and assess students who are performing at different levels in the classroom. Many students now understand that even if they feel left out or behind in the classroom setting, there are tools and tutorials they can use on their own time in order to further explore the concepts and ideas they found hard to grasp at the same pace as their peers. Personalized instruction is also a benefit for the instructor in the classroom, meaning they can move forward with the majority and provide short tutorials on both internal and external websites to further support those students who might need it. Through getting to know the student, we can address their individual learning requirements which are expressed through conversations and thoughtful feedback on assignments.   

3. Fosters Empathy. It goes without saying that empathetic instructors are quite favorable to students. When they feel as though the instructor is putting effort towards understanding what's happening in their lives such as, a recent financial problem or their arduous work schedules, students often become more dedicated to both the instructor and the coursework. Getting to know why a students is always five minutes late or why they miss class every third Wednesday of the month taps into both the instructor's and the student's humanity. There may be services the instructor might be able to direct the student to, in an effort to make the student's life a bit easier. Through this process bond between student and instructor is allowed to flourish. The student understands that they are not just a number and that the instructor truly cares about them as a whole person and that they are not just another face in a crowded lecture hall.    

4. Promotes Inclusion. Most recently, there's been lots of talk related to diversity and inclusion. Some of this talk stems from the idea that students who might be considered outliers as it relates to areas such as their academic background, their race or ethnicity, a special need or their socioeconomic status; do not feel fully included in classroom instruction and conversations. Some students feel as though assumptions are made about them, which reveal unconscious biases instructors might be harboring. The best way to combat this is by getting to know them. The more we get to know about the lives and experiences of each student the more we are exposed to broader ideas as it relates to who is sitting in our classrooms.      

5. Creates Mentorship Opportunities. I don't know about you but I can honestly say that my entire academic career has been advanced through relationships with mentors. I have had subject matter mentors, personal mentors, teaching mentors and career mentors. Many of those relationships started in the classroom with a professor who decided to take time out to get to know what my aspirations were and to eventually share with me how I might achieve my goals. These mentors might have given up two hours per month of their, but their impact was vast and priceless. As a mentor myself, I find that the these relationships are mutually beneficial. I gain an abundance knowledge, if not more than when I myself was a mentee. 

This short list of reasons why it can be beneficial to get to know your students is just the tip of the iceberg, but keep in mind that there are many, many more positive outcomes. It is so important to engage the whole student since we see more and more how the outside lives of our students effect their behavior in the classroom. It effects how connected they feel to the university, their peers, the instructor and their academic journey as a whole. We should take every opportunity we can to promote academic success and getting to know your students is an excellent starting point!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

940.898.3427 

Creating Engaging Micro-Lectures

Micro-Lecture Sample

Micro-lectures have become an increasingly common staple in college courses. In light of recent changes to higher ed instruction due to Covid-19 health precautions, many instructors find themselves migrating a ton of F2F material into an online platform. In a previous discussion, “Migrating a F2F course to an Online Platform,” I share some tips and tricks to moving preexisting material and how to handle the shift as it relates to time management and student interaction. One of the suggestions is to record some video. I am firm believer in having a visual component in class instruction whether it is F2F, fully online or hybrid. Creating a catalog of video clips for students to return to at a later date or that can be used from one semester to the next, has the ability to provide long-term benefit for both the instructor and the student. 

Below I have outlined some specific elements to consider when creating engaging micro-lectures for your courses:

Be specific about what the video is addressing

It is not necessary to have the entire video fleshed out before hitting the record button but having clarity on why you need a specific video and exactly what learning outcomes it will support and/or address can streamline the process.

      Look professional

Having a professional appearance doesn’t necessarily include hair and makeup but instead background, lighting, sound and your demeanor. My rule to creating online video is to always dress as if I were conducting a lecture live in class. The lighting is also important, being able to see your face is more engaging than trying to listen to a shadowy figure moving back and forth on the screen. Your background does not have to be perfect, but be sure to remove any distracting posters, props or people. Having loved ones walk about in the background can detract from your presentation. Be relaxed, sit up straight and try to have your camera at eye level for maximum visual engagement.

Have a script or guide prepared

While I am all for shooting from the hip or improvising, when you are not very experienced with creating engaging micro-lectures it always helps to have some pre-written notes at your disposal. There is a fine line between preparation and improvisation that the most engaging micro-lectures are able to balance seamlessly. Don’t be afraid to improvise but come prepared.

Keep it short

No matter what needs to be covered, information can always be presented in short blurbs that truly captivate the attention of viewers and leave them wanting more. Be sure to chunk your information into bite-sized portions that are easily digestible. Having several parts for the same lecture is fine. Even if you have recorded longer lectures in previous courses, it is a good idea to break them down into sections. Not only are these short videos more engaging, but they are much easier to incorporate into various areas of an online course. This especially works well when the same concept or term is covered across multiple courses. Record it once and use it infinitely.

Incorporate Multi-Media Elements

Incorporating a slideshow presentation, existing video or pictures (animations, memes, GIFs, graphics, etc.) can truly take your micro-lecture to the next level. Students get a break from a talking head and are also offered visual components that further explain the subject at hand. Background music is not necessary, but if you find some clever sound effects that work well with your presentation, don’t be reluctant to take a chance. Your videos can always be edited again later. If using a slideshow, it is good practice to record the voice-overs for each slide separately, this way you aren’t trying to be mistake-free (some mistakes are okay) for a full 5-7 minutes at a time.

Be sure your micro-lecture is accessible

In an effort to be fully inclusive of our entire student body and the special needs they may have, be sure your video is captioned and that the audio is loud and clear. For a more in-depth look into accessibility, feel free to reach out to TLT.

The most important thing to remember is that creating engaging micro-lectures is a work-in-progress. They don’t have to be flawless the first time around. The more you create, the better you will become. Students aren’t judging us as much as we might think, most simply have a strong desire to connect with an actual instructor, be it F2F, online or hybrid. It is so hard to cover all aspects of engaging micro-lectures in one presentation, but I encourage you to research the topic online and check out my 2min micro-lecture example here. 

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

940.898.3427    

Some inspiring TED talks that promote great leadership...

TED Talks have become a very integral part of the professional development world. Many business owners, social media influencers and educators vie for a spot on the TED stage in order to share their stories of success, triumph over adversity or some novel way that they see the world. When I'm searching for inspiration related to a specific subject matter like, "the future of higher ed", "connecting with students" or "professional development", I tend to type the letters T-E-D behind it just to be sure I find a great presentation that's both entertaining and engaging. For me, that's what TED offers, Ideas Worth Spreading. Below, I have compiled a list of some very inspirational TED talks as it relates to personal and professional leadership skills.  

How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Simon Sinek's official title is Leadership Expert. He explores how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust and change. He's the author of the classic "Start With Why"; his latest book is "Leaders Eat Last." This TED talk taps into the leadership aspect in a way that it can be applied to both our personal and professional lives. Sinek discusses good leadership as a lifestyle and not merely a specific job description. Leadership can happen in many different ways but inspiring those around you to do their best has a much more viable lasting effect than manipulation or fear. This is a great tool for anyone who is considering their "why", and how knowing why you do anything you do can provide the clarity needed to make a real impact in any environment and institution we happen to be connected to.  

Trial, Error and The God Complex

Tim Harford is an Economics writer who studies complex systems. For this TED talk he shares his findings of a surprising link among the successful systems: they were primarily built through trial and error. Harford asks the audience to embrace our randomness and start making better mistakes. He purports that the more ideas we try the higher the likelihood of our success. He believes variation and selection boils down to trial and error. This idea can be applied to educational institutions, businesses, and economics. Harford discusses how trial and error should be taught in schools and should be the platform that most politicians run on. He believes humans benefit a great deal from admitting their own fallibility and ultimately ditching the God complex in order to create more successful systems. 

Listen, Learn, then Lead

Stanley McChrystal is a four-star general who shares what he learned about leadership throughout his 25-year career in the military. He begins by sharing a story about jumping out of  a plane and how that moment impacted the way he feels leaders should conduct themselves. His focus is building shared purpose across different age groups and across various skillsets. McChrystal explains the value of listening and learning while always addressing the possibility of failure. His storytelling abilities tap into an almost campfire feeling. He's direct, personable and authentic, while educating the audience on specific ways to improve their leadership skills, which would ultimately improve the culture of their institutions.   

Why We have Too Few Women Leaders

As the COO of Facebook and author of the best-selling book, Lean-In, Sheryl Sandberg has dynamic insight on why there are so few women in leadership positions. She discusses how there is a negative correlation between likability and women leaders and how this might discourage many women from reaching for those high positions. This is a great TED talk for not only women who are looking to lead but for men who want to further understand the importance of female representation and its impact on future generations of women. The main takeaway is understanding our own biases when interacting with women leaders or women who are developing their careers to lead. Sandberg does a great job of outlining some of the common challenges women face in many institutions and how to address them.    

The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding

Another great story-teller and renowned UCLA coach John Wooden shares his perspective on success and some especially profound tidbits of wisdom he received from his father. He shares a deep understanding for the importance of doing your personal best and not focusing your attention on doing better than others. This personable approach to success is attributed to his simple upbringing on a farm. He discusses his "golden" rules; "never be late, be neat and clean when you do show up, no profanity and never criticize a teammate". This is a simple but very reasonable approach to great leadership, while always operating under the premise that success is about much more than simply winning.
     

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

Cultivating Positive Classroom Culture

In my experience, every instructor wants a class that is attentive, studious, thoughtful, respectful and a host of other characteristics that we have likely seen more of in a movie than in our actual classroom. The expectation of these outcomes is not unrealistic, but what can often be unrealistic is the idea that it should come with very little effort on the part of the instructor. In my previous blog I discussed the importance of instilling confidence in your students, which outlined a few practices that might assist in that process. For this blog, lets look at the flip side of that coin and discuss some attitudes, habits and practices we should avoid in order to create the thriving space for teaching and learning that we desire.

• Avoid accusatory behavior. We've all had students who miss class, show up late to class or ask to turn in late assignments. This is not new. However, it is important to remember that accusing students of being lazy, being careless, being entitled or that they aren't taking their education seriously will create the type of negativity that has the ability to clutter the classroom for weeks on end. Of course the student should do a better job to stay on top of their academic career, but accusing them with our tone, our words or even our facial expressions does not create the relationships in the classroom we might desire. It is better to assume that we don't know and to ask thoughtful questions first.

• Don't allow the positive aspects of the students efforts to be cancelled out by one act that you might perceive to be negative. Its the same idea as having one bad moment in a day, not being equal to having an entire bad day. Be sure to put both their strengths and weaknesses into perspective before coming to a conclusion about who the student is and what they are capable of. We may be missing some great qualities that could contribute to the classroom culture in a very productive way. 

• Avoid taking a students' approach to your course too personal. I know how passionate most instructors are about their subject matter. Most of us have learned to eat, sleep and breathe it for the purposes of being a solid resource for students in the classroom. However, keep in mind that we are generally only experts in one subject area, while many of our students, especially undergrad students, are enrolled in 3 to 5 different courses. Many students are not even sure about what their major will be and are possibly taking our course to fulfill a requirement. This does not mean that we should match the lack luster approach some students might display, but it does mean that we should keep in mind that not all students are in love with our subject matter to the same extent that we are. And that is okay.  

• Do your best to be clear about what is expected at all times. One of the most common student complaints is that the instructor is not clear about what is expected. They turn in research papers and often get an arbitrary score with very little feedback. Or they submit a discussion board post and get points taken off for something along the lines of, "not being thoughtful enough". When students see comments like these, they have no idea what is being requested of them. Usually they just submit a longer response the next time which does not always mean their approach to the discussion was any more "thoughtful". Clarity can also wane when instructors only chime in when they feel a student is not doing something right as opposed to also chiming in when they do well.   

• Be as efficient as you want your students to be. When we expect students to be flawless we leave no room for our own inevitable human mistakes. This becomes an issue when an instructor is very hardcore about something like tardiness. The instructor may deduct points for late arrivals or unknowingly treat students who are late as if they aren't taking their education seriously. But what happens when the instructor is late? If the behavior of the instructor is allowed to be judged by a double-standard, the students might build up a bit of resentment. This also applies to things like requesting that students have no grammatical mistakes in their papers, discussions or emails. This puts the instructor under a microscope too, and since we all make mistakes, this approach often does not work for the instructor in the long-run. This doesn't mean high standards are no good, but it does mean that we should always leave room for human error. Nobody is perfect.

I hope you've enjoyed these pointers on behaviors to avoid in order to create a more positive classroom culture. If you feel something was missed, please drop it in the comments below!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A           

Instilling Confidence in Your Students

Our students come to us from a variety of backgrounds, all with different motivations for being in our classrooms. Finding commonalities among students can be challenging if they never open up or participate during the class. Sometimes a lack of participation might be a sign that the student doesn't feel their opinion is valuable or there may be a general sense of alienation. These feeling might stem from having had a series of less than positive interactions in previous academic settings. When we see a smart student who exhibits waning confidence, there are a few useful tools we might use in order to boost their self-worth, as it relates to how they feel about themselves in the classroom. 

• Remember that our opinion of their work product is highly subjective. In subject areas where there is wiggle room to interpret the meaning of theories and concepts differently, we can try validating the student's perspective even if it is vastly different from our own. In my personal experience as a new graduate student many years ago, I can remember feeling really defeated if an instructor ripped my perspective apart instead of first validating it and then explaining to me why another perspective might be a better approach. It made me feel as though I didn't belong and that I was in over my head. These same ideas I later tested in papers for other professors were praised for their uniqueness. Its important to remember how much our opinions mean to students and while our opinions are backed by years of study and experience, it doesn't mean there isn't a new way to see an old concept. This type of exploration should be encouraged.     

• Try multiple methods of assessment. For those who don't perform well on tests a multifaceted presentation might be a better fit. For those who don't present well, building a website could be where they shine. For someone who doesn't have the skill-set to build a website, try allowing them to develop and shoot a short film. Many of these methods can be used in combination with others. In recent years, traditional ways of sharing information have been challenged by innovative tools that are now available for personal use. With current technological advancements, there is so much room to try various ways of assessing whether or not students have gained a working knowledge of the material. A research paper maybe be safe but the possibilities are truly endless.     

• Share stories about yourself and how you were once just like them. Many students deal with impostor syndrome, which is also commonly experienced by instructors. At the end of the day, we are all human, therefor it should be easy to understand how a student might feel intimidated in an environment they are not accustomed to. I know I have personally dealt with the feeling of not feeling as though I was qualified enough to be in a position or to attain a specific degree. But after getting my footing, I quickly got over that "not enough" feeling. I remembered that no matter the position or how much others seem to be thriving, they are also dealing with some type of insecurity I have no knowledge of. I found that sharing some of my early struggles with being a first generation college student allowed students the space to be easier on themselves. I had created an opportunity for them to settle into their new role as a student and the expectations that come along with it.

The ultimate goal of any instructor should be to facilitate student success to the best of their ability. This doesn't mean that the onus of responsibility is all on the instructors but it does mean the instructor should do their best to not be another place of insecurity for the student. I hope you have enjoyed reading this short list of ways we can assist in instilling confidence in our students. Feel free to share a few of your own in the comment section below. 

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A 

       

Conditioning Yourself for Excellence

On the wall in my office, I posted a quote about excellence that reads, "Excellence is the gradual result of always trying to do better..."

When I first read it online, it spoke to me in such a meaningful way that I had to print it out and place it in my line of sight as a simple reminder each day to do better. Not just at work, but to be a better listener, to procrastinate less, to stick to my exercise regimen even when I'm tired and to work towards the goals that are important to me even on the days where nothing seems important to me. This mindset doesn't come easy, I find that there are always contradictory forces at work attempting to help us under-perform if we allow them to (hashtag binge watching, internet browsing, Face-booking, etc.).

This is why I appreciate people and environments that keep me stimulated and encourage me to do work I'm proud of. Sometimes negative reinforcement pushes me in a way that no well-meaning, sweet-talking motivational life coach could. Excellence should not be confused with perfection since the idea of "perfect" work is mostly a subjective matter. Below I have listed some positive reinforcements that I use to not only get it all done but to also produce thoughtful, high-quality, timely and most of all, excellent work.

Conditioning is similar to repetition. It's training yourself through repetitive actions to become, better. Athletes, singers and even professional networkers use conditioning to become the best at what they do. If you want to improve your email response time with students, practice by responding to all emails from students within 24 hours, even if its just a reply to let them know that you'll look further into their issue. Or, if you decide that waking up an hour earlier in the morning would make you more productive, try setting the alarm to rise and shine even on the weekends. This process conditions your body to the sleep pattern you choose.

   

Mentorship is a very useful tool since some solid guidance can help you avoid common professional mistakes. Having a good mentor can provide you with a blueprint to success in whatever areas you desire. If someone has accomplished something you wish to accomplish yourself, they're likely the best person to shadow. This also works both ways, being a mentor to others can also sharpen our skillset.

   

Studying your craft is another path to excellence. As a sociologist, this is one of the best tools I've utilized in order to improve my knowledge-base and overall understanding of the field. Finding research topics and theoretical perspectives that coincide with my studies has improved my clarity in a way that only dedicated and deliberate study time could. 

   

Competing is not always a bad thing, especially when the person you are competing with is yourself. That's right, since excellence is the gradual result of always trying to do better, what can be more rewarding than outdoing what you considered to be your best. The sky is the limit here. 

Reminders don't have to be done constantly or they might become annoying, and subsequently you may start to ignore them, like those smartphone apps that are supposed to remind you to drink water. For this I would take more of a clandestine approach. For example, each time I happen to see repeated numbers like 555 or 111, its a subtle reminder to myself to pay attention to my thoughts and to make sure they are positive, productive and uplifting. The more I notice repeating numbers, the more I happen to see them, (thanks to my reticular activating system). These gentle reminders set me on the path to excellence at moments when I least expect it. 

Connection is so important when deciding to produce excellent work. If I'm not connected to the projects I am working on to some degree, I get bored, and boredom does not foster excellence on any level, unless your goal is to be excellent at being bored. Having a personal connection to your work product will ensure that you put the required time and energy into getting it right in order to be proud of your results. 

Environments can foster productivity or procrastination. Getting involved in unproductive claptrap throughout your day is bound to interfere with how productive you can be. So often our environments don't challenge us or bring out the best in us but we rarely make the changes that are needed to improve our space. Upgrade your environment, upgrade your life. Place motivational posters on your walls, maybe a vision board for your career or some happy pictures of family so you can remember why excellence is so important to you in the first place.

  

Distractions like social media, office gossip or browsing Amazon ten times a day, filling, emptying and refilling one's virtual cart is the definition of distraction. Distractions can come in so many forms, but its up to you to decide if something is a much needed break from the monotony or a rabbit hole that will suck several hours out of your day.  

Agility is one of my favorite aspects as it relates to shooting for excellence. Being able to roll with the punches or having the ability to quickly adapt without having a conniption says a lot about your character. Falling to pieces at the slightest discomfort does not scream excellence. This doesn't mean that you won't want to fall apart when the school calls to tell you to pick up a sick child right before you're due to pitch a project idea that you've been working on for months. But when you choose to keep a cool head solutions are clearer. "Never let them see you sweat!" doesn't mean you don't sweat, it just means that its not everyone's business when you do. 

I hope you've enjoyed reading what excellence means to me. If you have any suggestions or examples of your own, please feel free to comment below.   

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

Five inspiring social media profiles for professionals to follow!

Brigette Hyacinth

I remember when social media first became a prominent aspect of our daily lives nearly a decade ago. I had always been involved in the latest technical advancements, so social media was very easy for me to adapt to. But for many, the idea of having your identity, in any form, plastered up and down the information highway was downright scary. And with so many discussions related to identity theft, hacking and online stalking, these worries were not completely unfounded. 

However, today, many of us don’t even second guess paying for a product online with our credit cards, sharing personal pictures of our family and friends or taking people we meet online at face value, because for the most part, the information highway is no less safe than the world we experience in our everyday lives. In the current state of affairs, many of us have found ourselves online much more than usual.
   

Being an educator and a writer has always driven me to find online mentorship and inspiring social media accounts I could follow in order to remain in “the know” and to have relevant information to share with my colleagues and students. Understanding that social media is such a huge part of our lives, I knew that a short list of some very innovative people and accounts to follow would help you to continue to create an online world that is equally as resourceful and inspiring as those we have created face-to-face.

Gretchen Rubin is a happiness coach and the bestselling author of the The Happiness Project. From her Linkedin Profile, “On her popular weekly podcast Happier with "Gretchen Rubin," she discusses happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft. It was named in iTunes’s lists of “Best Podcasts of 2015” and won the Academy of Podcasters “Best Health & Fitness Podcast 2016.” 

• Rubin is a versatile public speaker 
• Rubin Specializes in habits, happiness, positive psychology, writing, memoir, blogging, social media, self-improvement and self-help
• She regularly posts inspiring messages about cultivating a happy lifestyle

Greg Mckeown is an essentialist. Part of being an essentialist is saying no to many things so that we can focus on the things that matter. From his Linkedin Profile, “Greg McKeown is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less." 

• He is a blogger for the Harvard Business Review and an accomplished public speaker 
• He speaks frequently at major corporations including Apple, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Pixar, Salesforce.com, and Twitter and organizations including SXSW 
• McKeown shares daily posts about "innovation, being focused, leadership, discipline, simplicity and execution

Dorie Clark is the author of Stand Out and Reinventing You. Clark can help you craft the professional image you’ve always wanted. From Clark's Linkedin Profile, “I'm a strategy consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker (with deep experience in virtual presentations) who has worked with clients including Google, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Fidelity, Yale University, the IMF, and the World Bank."

• Clark has been named one of the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World by Thinkers50
• Clark also writes a weekly LinkedIn Newsletter which you subscribe to via his Linkedin profile
• Clark posts regularly on several platforms about the importance of a professional image

Adam Grant is a Wharton Professor and the author of Give and Take, which provides advice on why being helpful at work can accelerate your career. From his Linkedin profile, “Recognized as Wharton's top-rated professor and one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers and Fortune's 40 under 40. Author of three New York Times bestsellers that have sold over a million copies and been translated into 35 languages." 

• His book ORIGINALS explores how individuals champion new ideas and leaders fight groupthink
• His book GIVE AND TAKE examines why helping others drives our success, and was named one of the best books of 2013 by Amazon, Apple, the Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal
• His book OPTION B, with Sheryl Sandberg, is a #1 bestseller on facing adversity and building resilience
• Follow him on Linkedin to receive daily posts about leadership and personal success

Brigette Hyacinth is a bestselling Author, and an International Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Management, HR, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence. From her Linkedin profile, "Brigette Hyacinth is a bestselling Author, and an International Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Management, HR, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence." 

• She has been ranked Top 100 HR Influencers (Leadership & Development) of 2018 & 2019. Top 20 EMEA-Based Tech Experts to inspire Digital Transformation Efforts. Top 100 Most Influential people of African Descent under 40
• Hyacinth is dedicated to helping others succeed in the workplace
• Her passion for bridging the gap between technological advancement and the workplace is apparent in her daily posts 
• She conducts seminars and workshops in leadership, management and education as well as provide motivational speeches

I hope you can find as much inspiration and motivation as I have through following these amazing professionals. If you have a few to share, please feel free to comment below.

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

Ways to maintain your sanity while working, schooling and “leisuring” from home...

Many of my friends and acquaintances have called and texted in a frantic panic about schooling their kids while working from home and not getting their usual breaks to chill and hangout with other adults. They know that for many years I worked from home while homeschooling both my daughters. What they don’t get is that even though we didn’t live a conventional lifestyle, we still enjoyed many leisurely activities during the day when most people were at work or school. There is nothing like visiting the Arboretum with your kids and them actually being able to try all of the fun equipment without standing in a line for thirty minutes at a time. However, this current situation we find ourselves in is far different than the conscious decision I made to homeschool and work from home. For many who have no interest in that lifestyle, the day-to-day mental demands can be much more trying. Below are some ways I've learned to meet the challenge of unconventional parenting and coping which has met my needs throughout the years.

Bedtime. The bedtime rules in my home are shifted according to what is going on in our lives. I have always allowed my daughters to stay up later than usual if they had nowhere to be the next morning. Two major benefits I’ve noticed with extending bedtime is that first, they fall asleep when they’re actually tired. Many times in the past when I allowed parenting magazines to dictate our sleep schedules, my daughters would lie awake for hours before finally getting some shuteye. They would still wake up the next morning groggy and I would always feel defeated by this. A second bonus to extending bedtime that I noticed was how peaceful my mornings became. If my normal uptime was around 7am and their uptime was around 9:30am, this meant I got a whopping two and a half hours to work, eat breakfast and have coffee in peace. Nothing like a quiet, zero interruption morning before helping my kids get their day started.

Support systems. Since what many parents are currently doing is “not homeschooling”, I repeat “not homeschooling” in the traditional sense of the practice, there is a huge support system of teachers and administrators we should all be taking advantage of. Send for help as much as you need it. Many instructors are offering video chat, instant messaging, texting, phone calls and email, to help support you and your children during this unique transition. The teachers at my daughters’ schools are so efficient that I have only had to help them once or twice a day. In the traditional sense of homeschooling you’re often all alone as the teacher (of several subjects, even the ones I had no business teaching lol), disciplinarian, cafeteria lady, PE coach and school therapist (for the many, many, many mental breakdowns occurring on a weekly basis by both child and parent). Let’s just say that being your own therapists might not be the best solution but oftentimes its necessary. I can’t express enough how reassuring meeting these demands are when you know you’re not the only person the kids have to rely upon in order to be successful. Take full advantage of having a curriculum and teacher for each subject and grade level provided for you. 

Screen time. This may not be popular among many parents but in this current situation my whole family has been violating all screen time rules we ever put into place. I have relaxed on the rules related to technology use because, well… I can. To keep the whole household sane we need to be able to reach out to our friends and family members whenever we choose and self-entertain with our Words with Friends addiction (oh, that might be only me), but whatever Fortnite, Overwatch, Roblox, Minecraft, or Tik Tok madness needed in order to get through the day. We work first then relax. If screen time surveillance is something you’re stern about, then take breaks by playing board games, doing puzzles and making homemade soap (which we did, but didn’t realize it has to sit for 8 whole weeks before we can use it), next is our homemade toilet paper project. Screen time is not the monster it once was since we literally have no choice at this point. Give yourself and your kids a break by declaring one or two days a week where device time isn’t measured, and everyone can relax and do as they please. These are unfathomable circumstances so act accordingly (which translates to, whatever works each day).

I hope these coping tools I’ve shared will help some of you relax and give yourselves and your families a break. Six months ago I went back to work full-time and told my daughters that our homeschooling and working from home days were far, far behind us (this is where I would insert the emoji with the straight face if I were texting). Which just proves however, that we never know what’s coming next, which is even more of a reason to remain calm, think outside of our boxes and simply enjoy today.

  

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS
Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence
Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)
Texas Woman's University
940.898.3427
Stoddard Hall - Room 305A    

Staying Active While Practicing Social Distancing and Self-isolation

As we become acclimated with our new social norms, one of the biggest challenges for many is trying to remain physically active. With closures of fitness centers and yoga studios, many of us are struggling with developing a regular fitness routine that we can commit to. Below I have outlined some fun activities you can do alone or with family members. 

Go for a walk or jog. This may seem like the most basic idea, but you wouldn’t believe the number of people I have spoken to who are complaining about gyms being closed but have yet to take a stroll in their own neighborhood. I am personally seeing people walk and run who I didn’t even know were my neighbors.

Dust off that bike. Instead of going to the local supermarket in your car, try cycling. This way you can get some exercise in while also grabbing a carton of eggs or a loaf of bread. If you don’t have a basket attached, you can trap on a backpack and enjoy your surroundings from a brand-new perspective. It’s the best way to feel the warmth of the sun and the cool Spring breeze all at once.

Play outside with the kids or pets or both. Sometimes the most energizing activities are so impactful because they’re actually fun. Exercise does not have to be rigid or laborious in order to be effective. My family has owned a couple of drones for more than a year and it wasn’t until just last week that we decided to go to the empty field next to our home to take them for a test drive. After an hour of repeatedly chasing it down and rescuing the apparatus from a tree, we were all spent. It turns out drones are a lot harder to control than they look.

Wash that dusty car. It is said that, “washing the car by hand for 30 minutes burns 135 calories if you weigh 125 pounds and 200 calories if you weigh 185 pounds,” (Webmd.com). While many of us may not be remotely interested in keeping our vehicle shiny and fresh with all our attention being focused on COVID-19, however having a cleaner space can have a very positive effect on our psyche. I’m sure that those calories burned will climb even higher should you decide to clean the inside too.

Youtube! You like yoga, Zumba or salsa dancing? Do any of these activities from the comfort of your bedroom, living room or garage. One of my most favorite corners of Youtube is the plethora of professional and of course the less than professional videos fitness coaches share with the world. Its free, very easy to access and once you find a favorite channel you can subscribe and receive alerts each time they post a new video. It’s the perfect time to discover your personal brand of fitness and who knows you may find that those yoga studio and gym memberships aren’t as necessary as you once thought.

Stay calm, enjoy your family and get moving!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A

Five Tips for Migrating a F2F Course to an Online Platform

Regarding recent health precautions put in place on college campuses across the country, many instructors are now moving their face-to-face courses online indefinitely. Moving a course that was intended to be taught in class to an online platform can be both over-whelming and time-consuming. Below are a few tips and tricks that might make this transition more seamless for both the instructor and the student.

Don’t reinvent the wheel. While it may seem to be more logical to simply start from scratch in order to avoid assignment confusion most assignments, even those set up as group work, can be implemented on Canvas through discussion boards or conferences. Students are very savvy online and can adapt much faster than we might think.

Remove non-essentials. Having to move a course online could provide a great opportunity for cleaning house. This means getting rid of classroom-based exercises that may have been added for the purpose of filling class time. While many of us would like to think all of our assignments are essential, very often we find that some might be redundant or might not truly address the overall learning outcomes for the course.

Communicate often. Since moving a course online is such a big shift, the most important aspect of getting students on board is to make them aware of why the class is moving, what to expect and any changes that may be coming in the future. Give regular daily updates that are both informative and friendly. Let them know you are open for discussion and able to provide any clarity related to an assignment they might need.

Record some videos. Video lectures and updates are not only welcomed by students, many encourage instructors to create more of them. One impressive method I have employed in the past is using my existing written summaries but also adding hyperlinked videos that explain or further expand upon the subject matter I am covering in the summary. For example, places in the F2F lecture where I might normally stop and explore a particular subject a bit deeper now becomes a hyperlink where I define a term or share a real world example. (See Video) Posting a short video can improve student comprehension much more than 1,000 extra words might. Students love to see their instructors, especially in the midst of a huge platform shift. Videos can be uploaded to YouTube directly from most devices.

Don’t be afraid to postpone. Since the current campus restrictions are indefinite, it might be more fruitful to simply postpone the assignments you have yet to figure out the best way to migrate. While some assignments are easier to continue online, others provide some not so clear hurdles that may require more time and attention to hammer out. As long as students understand that the assignment will still be required, most won’t have any issue with having more time to work on it.

If you have any questions about some of the techniques listed above, please feel free to contact TLT (Teaching and Leaning with Technology) or CFE (Center for Faculty Excellence). I hope these tips help minimize any angst and maximize your free time. Good luck and be well!

Jameelah Ra'oof MIS, MS 

Coordinator of Teaching, Learning & Academic Excellence

Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)

Texas Woman's University 

940.898.3427

Stoddard Hall - Room 305A