Preparing for the Frist Class

Hello instructors. The first day of class can be a little nerve racking not only for the students but for the instructors as well. It is different from all your other meetings together. It is the first time the instructor will meet the students, students meet the instructor and students meet each other. 

Here is a suggested way to organize your first day of class to ensure a successful first day:

1. Welcome 
2. Introducing Yourself 
3. Participants’ Introductions 
4. Ice-Breaker
5.  Assessing Learner Needs (Why did you come?) 
6. Announcements 
7. Introduction of Subject/Topic 
8. Break 
9. Participant Involvement 
10. Summary 
11. Personal Evaluation of First Session

“I personally always get ‘butterflies’ before a course begins. It’s nature’s way, as I see it, to keep me aware of the responsibility I have to the learners, and to the program, and to myself.”
-Jane Vella in her book Training Through Dialogue

I hope you find this tip to be helpful as you start planning for the first day of class! Feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions, questions about teaching, or marketing needs.

Winter 2014 Catalog

 
Our Winter Catalog is here! This winter learn a new hobby or get the training you have always wanted to take.

So, what you waiting for? Our Winter Catalog is just a click away at www.ctcd.edu/ce/schedule.pdf. Register over the phone by calling 254-526-1586, or visit us on campus in building 136, Room 139, located on the corner of Clear Creek and Central Texas College Drive.

December 2013 Classes!

Haven't had a chance to see what Personal Enrichment, Career Development, LifeLong Learning, and College for Kids classes start this month? No problem! All December classes are listed below and will be updated as changes are made.

• CPR for Healthcare Providers, 12/5, T, 5-9pm, $25
• Effective Learning Strategies, 12/7-12/14, W, 9am-2pm, $45
• CPR for Healthcare Providers, 12/7, S, 9am-noon, $25
• Line Dancing, 12/10-12/19, T/TH, 7-8:30pm, $25
• Nonprofit Fundraising Essential, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Fundamentals of Supervision & Management, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Managing Customer Service, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Introduction to Flash CS5, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• SAT/ACT Preparation Part I, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• SAT/ACT Preparation Part II, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Discover Digital Photography, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Growing Plants for Fun and Profit, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Beginner’s Guide to Getting Published, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners, 12/11-1/22, online, $99
• Blood Borne Pathogens and Citizen’s CPR, 12/12, TH, 6-7:30, $25
• Camp Geek: Pond Explorers (ages 5-12), 12/14, S, $35
• Professional Truck Driving, 12/16-1/16, M-F, 7am-4pm, $4,295
• First Aid Basics, 12/18, W, 9-11am, $25

See something you like? You can always check out our current catalog at www.ctcd.edu/ce/schedule.pdf. To register for classes, call us at 254-526-1586 or visit our office on the Central Texas College campus in building 136 (located on the corner of Clear Creek Rd and Central Texas College Drive) in room 139. 

Instructor of the Month! December 2013

Congratulations to our December 2013 Instructor of the Month... 

Chef Virgil Guy!

Chef Virgil Guy has been a member of the Continuing Education family for two years and has already made such a huge impact! He teaches various cooking classes and will be teaching Game Day Eats, Death by Chocolate, and Basic Food Preparation I, II and III this winter.

We asked Virgil Guy a few quick questions so we could get to know him:

What is your favorite part about teaching? Imparting my culinary skills and watching people being excited about what they can create.

What would you name the autobiography of your life? Paella

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod? "We Cool" – Anthony Hamilton

What is your favorite form of exercise? Running and lifting weights.

What’s your current favorite TV show/Movie? Favorite TV shows would be Iron Chef and Top Chef.

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Experimenting with various ingredients to create new recipes.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Batman

What advice do you have for new instructors of Continuing Education? Choose topics that you, yourself are interested in. Be sure to study, know the material and how to present it in layman’s terms, as well as, be interesting so the students will be engaged in your topic. 

To see Virgil Guy’s classes and more, you can visit http://www.ctcd.edu/ce/schedule.pdf to register or additional information; give us a call at 254-526-1586.

 

Project Management Class and Free Info-Session

We have recently added another Project Management Professional Certification Program class starting November 16! The Project Management Professional (PMP®) is an important industry credential for people who lead projects regardless of their career field. Our program is an accelerated learning experience that can give your career the boost it needs.  Project Management Professional Certification Program The Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for people working in project management. Our program is a five-meeting course that delivers the critical details needed for a successful, accelerated learning experience. You will learn how to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control and close projects.  Upon completion, you will be able to demonstrate you have the experience, education and competency to successfully lead and direct projects. There are two required textbooks:  PMBOK®Guide, Fourth Edition, 2009, PMI and PMP® Exam Prep, 2009, Rita Mulcahy. The certification exam is not included in the price of the course and lunch is on your own. Ahmed Zouhair is a PMI-certified project management professional and consultant with more than 16 years of experience. (5 meetings) (3.5 CEUs, 35 PDUs) Nov 16-Dec 21*         SAT                 8 am-5 pm                  Cost/$849 *No class Nov 30 Not sure if this program is right for you or your staff? Join us for a FREE info-session and sit in on our Project Management Professional Certification Program for two hours! This free info session provides an overview of the discipline along with important project management skills and techniques and see the class first hand. Saturday       November 16th         9-11 am The free Info-session will take place on the Central Texas College campus in the building 136 (Corner of Clear Creek Rd. and Central Texas College Drive), room 129. Session recommended for: Project coordinators/managers Supervisors Operations managers Developers Veterans Recent graduates Professionals looking for an exciting career Call us at (254) 526-1586 for additional information.

Tips for Teaching Adult Students

Hello instructors. As usual, I have been doing some reading/researching for something interesting and valuable to share to you all. Today, I have stumbled upon Faculty Focus which provides tips for higher education. I wanted to provide these five tips on teaching adult students:

• Treat them like the adults they are. Adult learners are generally more sophisticated and experienced than their younger counterparts and they benefit from realistic examples of skills they can use in “real life.” “Adult learners will be empowered as they discover they have a great deal to teach their younger classmates, and the dynamic is mutually beneficial,” said Thomas Lisack, an instructor at Rasmussen College in Wausau, WI. Lisack recommends incorporating intergenerational discussions on issues that otherwise have a generational divide as appropriate for the subject matter to engage learners of all ages.
• Be aware that their classroom skills may be “rusty.” Some adult learners have not been in a classroom for 30 years, so you may need to remind them of basic rules and etiquette, such as raising a hand if you have a question. At the same time, reassure them that, as the instructor, you will not be judgmental of their life experiences or their perspectives, and that they will be evaluated only on their mastery of the content. Be generous when it comes to formatting issues such as APA writing guidelines. Instead, focus on content. “I have found adult learners to be self-conscious, even apologetic, when it comes to being in the classroom,” Lisack noted. “They might even exhibit some shame because they feel decades behind their classmates. The more you can break down these walls of insecurity, the better.”
• Consider and acknowledge the technology gap. Students in their 50s and 60s are generally not nearly as tech savvy—or tech dependent, as some would argue—as 18 or even 30 year olds. Assess each student’s level of proficiency as it relates to class requirements and compensate. Lisack said he once spent three hours after class teaching a group of displaced workers—many of whom had never used a computer—the finer points of Microsoft Word. “The students were very grateful. I felt I’d accomplished something important to help them on their educational journey and it was very satisfying,” he said. Even if they are skilled with technology, adult learners tend to have dramatically different habits. “While younger students may be tethered to technology, adults have longer attention spans and traditional classroom approaches appeal to them,” Lisack said. “This does not mean you can lecture to them for three hours, but you can expect the older learner to concentrate on complex material without feeling ‘withdrawal’ of from a technology device.”
• Be efficient with lessons and activities. “Move fast and don’t waste anyone’s time,” advises Andrea Leppert, adjunct instructor at Rasmussen College in Aurora/Naperville, IL. “Adult students have jobs, sometimes children and tons of responsibilities, so pack every class with information and useful activities.” Consider balancing instructional time with “lab” time, giving students an opportunity to do modeling work or homework in class to give them a better chance of accomplishing all the requirements on time. Leppert also suggests being “strictly flexible” — diligent in your expectations, yet understanding about busy lives, illness and working late. “Like any job, it’s not to be abused, but as grown-ups, we have priorities that sometimes take precedent over finishing assignments,” she said. “Build in safety nets that allow a limited number of late assignments to maintain flexibility, accountability and expectations of excellent work.”
• Be creative: Use the unique vibe or personality of each class to teach the lesson and choose activities that engage, and even entertain to some degree. Pair highly motivated students with those less skilled on projects to create peer encouragement and mentoring. Leppert says this strategy keeps students interested, attendance high and motivation strong.

I hope you found this as knowledgable as I have! To see this article and more you can find it at http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/tips-for-teaching-adult-students/.