Should student groups be allowed to fire members?

Photo Credit: Sparklefish

It is without question that we want to provide our students with as much practical experience as possible, but where should we draw the line. I am all for practical experience when it comes to student groups, yet, I think some courses are more conducive to being allowed to fire a group member than others. For example, the capstone courses in a degree program as these courses are typically designed for students to work as a firm. Also, courses such as Corporate PR or PR Firms where students work in groups designed to mimic working in public relations departments or firms.

So, should the opportunity to fire a group member be presented for any class where students work in groups, or just courses where students work for clients? Sure there are several pros to the option of being allowed to fire a group member, such as

• Opportunity to hone or learn conflict management skills
• Ideally higher commitment from team members
• More say-so over how the team operates
• Ability to deal with internal politics
• Option to drop “dead weight”

Of course with positives there are always negatives, such as

• Firing because of the inability to get beyond the clash of personalities
• Firing because “majority rules” or because the option is present
• Firing because of the inability or desire to reconcile differences

I am all for the option of firing, yet it is when these options should be afforded that is my hang-up. Should class content drive the decision or just the fact that it is a group project?

Your thoughts?

Case studies continued

Below is the video I attempted to show in Research class today to begin our discussion on case studies. This is a tribute to those directly and indirectly touched by the explosion at the Dixie Crystal Sugar Refinery that took place February 2007. I noticed that many of you were unaware of the incident, thus my attempt to show it in class.

Granted this tribute does not show everything, as it is a tribute. However, do consider the following questions as you watch the 5 minute clip.

• What sources were used to put this clip together?
• Where could one gather additional sources–now that the investigation is complete–to update the tribute?
• What details have you learned from this clip that were previously unknown to you?
• What additional details are not in the clip that you would like to know?
• Now that two years has passed, what’s your overall perception of how the issue was handled? Consider our conversation in class.

Research is S.E.X.

Each semester our Center for Excellence in Teaching (C.E.T.) offers courses geared around questions or issues that often arise in the classroom and creative ways to combat them. The last one I attended briefly touched on developing a slogan for your course, such as Math is FUNdamental. This idea lingered with me as I’ve never considered a slogan for a college course. At least not beyond the “get to know the campus courses” that are required of freshman on most college campuses. So, long story short, I came up with this slogan for my Research class:

Students Example of Xenophobia

My goal this semester is to tie as many lectures as possible to various aspects of relationships that we all go through. I have no intentions of crossing or coming close to the line with this. My goal is to simply make the material more interesting by connecting with something students have faced, do face, or will face.

I think the students were a bit apprehensive when I introduced this slogan, yet, they were highly interactive when it came to offering  suggestions for our topic of discussion. For example, when discussing the three phases of the research process (pre-research, research, post-research) I related each process phase with a stage in a relationship, such as courtship, marriage, and kids.

Is it risky? Uh… yeah, but I hope that students will remember the material well beyond the class. I guess course evaluations and grades will tell.

Your thoughts? Too risky?

If you are currently in my research class, what do you think thus far?

Scholar Ladies

I saw the below video while watching CNN one Saturday morning and felt the need to share. Especially since they are singing about learning.

10 Questions that Annoy Professors

With the new year just underway and a new semester approaching, I thought it would be ideal to provide some “pet peeves” to students regarding their questions. Although one of our primary job as professors is to answer questions to the best of our ability, there are some questions that make us clinch our teeth for dear life. I asked professors near and far to send me their “pet peeves” when it comes to student questions, such as “Are we having class on Friday?” So in David Letterman style, here is a list of the top 10 questions professors don’t like to hear.

Top 10 questions professors don’t like to hear.

10. Will we have class the Friday before break?

9. How many points is this assignment worth?

8. Will we be getting out of class early today?

7. I have an F. Can I complete some extra credit?

6. I know this is last minute, but….

5. Could you tell me how many absences I have in this class?

4. Will you/do you drop the lowest quiz (or any other assignment) grade?

3. I was absent. Did I miss anything?

2. Am I passing this class?

1. Will this or how much of this will be on the test?

Although I could make some sarcastic remarks for each of these, I think the point is clear-respect the time and effort we put into creating handouts, syllabi, etc. that answer these questions by reading the forms. Of course there are some phrases I could add in as well, but that will have to be another post. Many thanks to those who submitted their “pet peeves.”

Of course the ordering is my own, but what would you change? Any others you would add? If you’ve asked any of these questions, why?

PR Students, Keep that book!

As many universities are approaching the end of the semester, they all have one thing in common–students looking to get some money during buy back week. Approximately two weeks ago I asked the question to professionals and professors “Which PR course textbooks should students keep?” I was pleasantly surprised and shocked by some of the responses.

In regards to PR courses, keep whichever textbook you have for the following:

• Law & Ethics
• Research
• Writing and/or Media course
• Campaigns
• A course of specific interest to your desired field

In regards to specific PR textbooks, responses included:

• AP Stylebook (hard copy or online subscription)
• Handbook of Public Relations
• Who Moved My Cheese?
• Effective Public Relations
• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• Full Frontal PR

Additional comments varied from don’t keep any of your PR books due to the evolving nature of the profession, to subscribing to various RSS feeds. Check out the comments for yourself. Thanks to all who responded.

Any additional books or courses you would add? All suggestions welcomed.

10 Commandments for Listening

When I discussed the chapter on Listening earlier this semester with my Public Speaking students, I decided to do something different- let them develop the code of conduct for listening during speeches, along with appropriate consequences. The students devised the “10 Commandments for Listening” in the PowerPoint below. Of course there are consequences for breaking the commandments and I allowed the students to develop those as well. One student wanted “eternal damnation” as the consequence for breaking a commandment, but the group decided on the following instead:

• 1st offense: You are first to speak during the next set of speeches
• 2nd offense: In addition to the first consequence, you recieve 2-3 points off your speech

What are your thoughts on the groups “10 Commandments for Listening.” Anything you would add?

And yes, they have stuck to these all semester. There haven’t been any complaints from violaters either.

Making it to Thanksgiving Break

As you all know Thanksgiving Break is around the corner (Woo hoo!!). Yet, the problem with knowing the end is in sight is when become lazy and desire to quit working before we should. So before you get too caught up in your holiday plans, here are a few tips to get you through the remaining two weeks.

1. Schedule daily breaks. Our body and brain need rest. You are physically at your best when you feel refreshed and not overwhelmed. Besides, you bring fresh eyes to the table when you come back to a task. Your break may consist of a walk around the park, a trip to the gym, or a short drive to get something to eat. Don’t work and eat as that defeats the purpose.  
   

   Photo credit: basykes

2. Map out your next two weeks in detail. Make yourself a spreadsheet, on paper or electronically, that highlights the remaining days and times you intend to complete various tasks. Be as detailed as possible, inserting times you will work to complete tasks if necessary. If you have a visual reminder of everything that needs to be completed it should (key word should) help you stay focused as task completion will put you one step closer to Thanksgiving Break.
3. Break-up long tasks. Do you really have 5 hours to put aside on one day to one task? Yes, some people are great at this, but the average person, looking at their schedule, wouldn’t have the time. Instead of attempting to do 5 hour chuncks at a time, choose to focus 1-2 hours on a specific task instead. If you do this throughout the the day you’ll eventually complete 5 hours on that task.
4. Gradually plan your break. The problem with breaks is that we become so consumed in planning them, because it is fun, we fail to recognize the amount of time we are devoting to the upcoming break that should be directed elsewhere. Should you plan your holidays, of course, but really, do you need one day to plan out whose house you’ll be visiting this break? Remember, the holidays are UPON US, they aren’t here yet.
5. Treat yourself. Whenever you complete a task reward yourself. This could be something as simple as going to your favorite coffee shop or picking up that pair of earrings you been debating over. Your reward doesn’t have to be elaborate, just significant to you.

What are some things you do to stay sane and focused before upcoming holiday breaks?

Students, are you professional?

I recently read “Survey: College grads unprofessional” and began thinking, I hope no one says that about our department graduates. Although I have some issues with the information presented in the short excerpt (I’m sure my issues will be cleared up once I listen to the podcast), such as methodology, research sponsor, questions asked, ecetera, it did get me thinking about what I am doing to prepare students for life after graduation.

Photo credit: Amber Rhea

Students complete internships, participate in various organizations, maintain a job, etc. , but do not always make the connection between now and then. This is evident through the rumblings in the hall. For example, a colleague overhead a student exiting a course say to a fellow classmate, “Man this class isn’t called ‘Public Speaking Outlining”; it’s ‘Public Speaking!’ I just don’t get why we have to do outlines at all!! They should NOT be part of our grades!” It’s statements of this nature that make me wonder if they will ever “get it.”

Although we (professors) attempt to prepare students for entry into the job force, students must desire to better themselves. It is heartbreaking to hear and see students view assignments as irrelevant. As shown through some of the comments provided in the story excerpt regarding the survey, employers are seeking graduates with good grammar, hard work ethics, professionalism, ecetera. These are not attributes that magically appear. They require consistent practice and the ability to take constructive criticism and move forward. How can you hone these skills if you are not provided the work to practice them? You don’t become an expert overnight. Therefore, I’d rather you fail an assignment in class, which is a designated place of learning, as oppose to losing a job.

I can’t recount the number of times I’ve had past graduates send me an e-mail or stop by my office when they return to campus and express their gratitude to me for pushing them to complete tasks beyond their comfort level while maintaining integrity and professionalism. Many of them admit they didn’t understand why my expectations were so high, until they were working in an office, but are nevertheless thankful. They also check-in with me every now and then to make sure that I’m not slacking on the job These are the alumni that remind me and allow me to share their stories with current students in hopes that these students will realize that the workload is NOT a form of punishment, but a strategic decision to make them better. A degree may get you the job, but it is the traits learned/honed while obtaining the degree that dictactes whether or not you keep the job.

What are your thoughts on the survey findings? How or can this issue of unprofessionalism be combated?

Univeristy Dress Policy

Over the last few years more and more Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have implemented a dress code policy of some kind with Morehouse College (ATL) being the latest. View the CNN clip.

Granted a dress code policy is fairly easy to implement at a private university, but what about those of us who work for public universities?
I clearly remember asking my department chair during my first week on the job if I could implement a dress policy in my classroom. Of course the answer was no, but the point was how do I get students to understand that neither I nor their classmates wish to see their pajamas, do-rags, unmentionables, or anything else that should stay in the privacy of their home.

Photo credit:Mike Benedetti

I’m sure your thinking, “Well your working, you should be dressed everyday.” True, but you can be appropriately dressed in a pair of blue  jeans, and that’s my point.  Regardless of whether your university is public or private, at minimum have respect for your family. Really, do you think your parents, grandparents, or whomever else you respect would approve of you wearing pajamas to class (or Wal-Mart) after they’ve spent money on your education? Uh…..NO. Besides, your professor is NOT the only one working in the classrooms. As a student you are working as well, for recommendation letters,  as representatives of a campus organization, to increase your GPA for potential job employment, etc.

So next time  you see someone or you consider walking around in pajama pants and what have you, ask yourself “Did I just pass a future employer, misrepresent my organization, misrepresent myself, etc?”

These are just my thoughts, but I’d like to hear your comments. What are your dress expectations when you walk onto a college campus?