Donald Mitchell asked:


Simulations (especially playful ones) are great ways to develop a lot of experience with irresistible forces. What could be better than to have fun, meaningful places to test your mettle? Coaching and teaching children provide excellent opportunities of this sort.

Prior to doing paid work, most people learn very little about the realities of working for and with others. On the job, most initially assume that the problem they should focus on is simply how to get power.

They often think that power allows you to order others to do the right thing, and great results will follow. Many people never outgrow this mistaken perspective, and so they are doomed to having rebellious people around them (whether children, spouses, or coworkers), who resent their attempt to dominate situations.

To avoid this perspective’s pitfall, you can quickly learn that progress stems from thoughtful examples, cooperation, and mutual assistance when you work with children. This experience works particularly well with those who are not your own so that you have some emotional distance.

Children who are on a sports team, for example (whether they are girls or boys), usually come out for the fun of it. If you don’t believe it, ask each child at the start of the season.

But adults are usually slow to catch on. Adults think about skills and winning. It is true that many people find winning to be more fun than losing. But how can you make the entire experience fun for everyone even when you are not winning?

You’ll soon find that letting the children play in ways they want to is a lot more fun for them than anything else. For example, let them play the positions they like in team sports.

You simply have to find lots of ways for them to play that both can be fun and develop their effectiveness. That solution means they will have a better chance of enjoying the experience of increased competence as well.

But be sure not to sacrifice the fun. That’s the core. Even when they don’t learn very much, give them as much play time as you can. You will then have served them well.

The lessons of this experience can carry over easily into being a parent. Children don’t usually just decide randomly to have a bad relationship with their parents. The children usually degrade the relationship as a way to get the parents’ attention.

The children know what the parents’ hot buttons are, and how to push them. If supportive attention is not forthcoming from the parents, then worse behavior will follow.

Being children, they would also like to have fun at home as well as on the sports field. Play with them. When you are in the car, be silent until they speak. That’s a great way to find out what’s on their minds.

You’ll be glad you did. Everyone can have fun!

Now move on to thinking about the workplace. Adults have many of the same perspectives as children do. They want to have fun, too.

They want to have a supportive relationship with the others in the organization. And they want to have meaning in their lives, as you do in yours.

To be an effective leader in this environment, you need only remember the words of retired general Norman Schwartzkopf, “Be the leader you would like to have.” Follow that advice and you can be more successful in your role as an organizational person, as well as a parent, coach, or a volunteer.

Copyright 2008 Donald W. Mitchell, All Rights Reserved



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Sophia Peters asked:


Success in a face-to-face environment does not always transfer to the elements needed for success in an online course; however, teaching online can be as rewarding as teaching in person. By including a variety of interactive strategies and maintaining communication, instructors can create a learning environment that encourages students to learn and to explore. The following tips include the key elements for success in teaching and learning in an online course.

The first week of an online course is very important for both the instructor and the learners regardless of the subject area, program, or level. Clarity is required because the students many not know how to utilize all the online course functions and features, or may be nervous if they have never taken an online class before. Be sure to be very clear on class policies, such as when and how to submit assignments. Some strategies that help the students feel less isolated are including a welcome page or email before the class starts and then having the students introduce each other can help guide how the rest of the class will run as students make connections to their classmates.

Including a general area to discuss things unrelated to a class such as weather, travel, pets is suggested so as to maintain a social connectiion that is often missing in online courses. It is also very important to clearly outline the rules of netiquette. Let the students know how you want them to frame communications and the tone that is comfortable to all class members. Have a clear organizational structure. For example, the syllabus should be very clearly outlined with dates and deadlines.

When facilitating the class, keep learners actively engaged in thinking about the course content through a variety of strategies such as active participation. For example, you can post thought-provoking questions that do not have direct answers and lend themselves to prompting even more questions and debate.

Make use of online resources that students can easily access. For example they can virtually access electronic articles in the library or repository. With the power of hyperlinks, this is quite doable. However, be sure to check your links each time you teach the course and several times during the course as these may change depending on the hosting service.

Plan interactive assignments that require students to work in teams to problem-solve. For instance, provide them with case studies that they can discuss in chatrooms and discussion boards and have them take turn being responsible for different tasks such as recorder or moderator. Organization is important – make it intuitive where and how to locate course content. Don’t switch out things to often and let them have multiple ways of accessing the information.

Use student-centered techniques. You can empower students by having them be responsible for summarizing the week’s discussion, being in charge of a discussion, or writing weekly reflections. This approach will empower them and save you time. Create activities where the students can integrate new ideas with existing knowledge, and provide them a frame of reference within the online environment.

Do not let the technology drive the instruction! Try to strike a balance between technology and content. Remember that good courses use the best aspects of multimedia but that do not leave the technology to do the teaching. You want the students to learn and use the technology but not at the expense of the course content.

Most important, be there for them! Remember they could be miles away and feeling isolated. Respond to requests as soon as possible and provide detailed feedback. Patience, availability, and accessibility will keep you connected to the students.



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