Reflections on my ACP course

Reflections on my ACP course

My initial expectations for this course were limited to an ill defined concept,

“sharpening my skills”. I broadly assumed that there was an academic approach
for the delivery of a class presentation though I really had no clear idea as to the
depth of supporting science. As the class progressed, that supporting science
became clear, very quickly. The insights revealed established the value of this
class just as quickly.


You find yourself digging in immediately. Psychology of demographic cohorts
(Generation X, Millennials). Educational psychology (Blooms Taxonomy). Lesson
planning (BOPPPS) Add in intelligent assessments involving lower (LOT) and
higher (HOT) order thinking questions and you have enough material to easily fill

the next 10 weeks of your life.

Value/ Knowledge/Insights
Over the course of 10 weeks I’ve had the opportunity each week to take one or

two items and incorporate them into my class. Initial discussions were centered
around how to effectively deal with students. Most of our current students are
considered Millennials. Counter to commonly held thinking, these students are
not impossible to teach. They just need a slightly different approach. It’s also
important to remember that these are young adults. Young adults, not adults.

Given time to develop they will become the future leaders of our world. This is
true for all your students. People are a product of their generation and the
environment.

Several practical insights were helpful dealing with challenging students. Students

who act out or don’t participate. One truly great technique is silence. Silence can
be an incredible motivator after a question has been asked. Additionally, just
being close to the student can I have a calming effect and they are less likely to
demand attention by acting out.


Technology can have a major impact on your class. Students expect it. That carry
smart devices and a smart instructor will take advantage of that leverage. One of
many very efective tools presented in our ACP classes is “Kahoot”. I have made
very effective use of this tool as a previous lesson review and a pre-assessment
for the upcoming lesson.

Microsoft PowerPoint is the de facto standard for classroom presentations.
Unfortunately, this tool can be counter productive. Individual slides must be

carefully constructed to deliver an engaging idea with limited text. Best to deliver
an idea using the PowerPoint slide rather than a reading lesson.

As I mentioned above, discovering the science behind effective teaching was
clearly a pivotal moment for me. Two of most important tools/technology taken

away from our ACP class are Blooms Taxonomy and BOPPPS lesson planning.
Blooms taxonomy, an explanation of the difference between lower and higher
order thinking, helps in creating effective lesson objectives and testing
assessments. BOPPPS, a mnemonic to help you remember Bridge in, Objectives,
Pre assessment, Presentation, Post assessment and Summary, brings structure to

an otherwise random presentation and or outcome. Incorporating these two
methodologies as well as, HaikuDeck, a Roulette wheel and On-Screen stopwatch
into one of my most challenging lectures, TTT diagrams, proved to be an
overwhelming success. Several students actually commented after class that they

particularly enjoyed their experience.

The structure of our ACP class has helped me become a better instructor. ACP
classes are an open interchange between 8 to 10 adjuncts and an expert
instructor/facilitator. We effectively share ideas. Problems like how to get

students to read ahead are discussed and refined in the class. Utilizing these
suggestions, I’ve been able to get my students to begin reviewing prior to class.
Another great bridge in suggestion, open forum. My students understand that we
will begin with an open discussion. Anything is legal within the bounds of good
taste. Our discussions effectively separate outside from class giving students the

opportunity to step comfortably into the lecture.

I’m very glad my department approved this ACP professional development. I’ve
attended several of the one-hour professional development classes offered.
While they provide useful information. It’s impossible to obtain the same net

effect as our 10 weeks of intensive class and homework assignments. I don’t want
to say that I’ve gone from zero to an expert though I will say that my enjoyment
of teaching students has been multiplied many fold by my confidence and skill
increase. I plan to continue professional development classes in areas such as

D2L, Business Writing, Microsoft Office, Soft Chalk and if anyone with the power
is listening, ACP II.