I saw edustir’s recent post about teaching and it had me thinking. Granted, I haven’t taught in nearly 4 years. However, I wonder just how easy it would be for me to get  back into it.

Would it be like riding a bike? They say you never forget how to ride a bike.

The students today however are much more web savvy then they were 4 years ago. They are a bit more comfortable with researching, blogging and networking at least.

When I implemented blogging into my classes, I was considered some what of a renegade.  Now, students can’t get enough about blogging about themselves and their experiences. Even some faculty have started to get into the act.

We have been starting to realize that people learn in different ways and that 90 minutes to 2 hrs of class time isn’t always going to get the point across.

Instructors have to realize that even though the tools always change, but the learning goals  have to remain consistent.

Now, I wonder what type of teaching and experience it would take to be a good instructor.

When I first arrived on the college campus  as a student back in the last century, I got my first credit card before I was able to vote. I was with a fellow student (oh, the peer pressure)  questioned the representative  asking how I could of possibility qualified when I didn’t reach my 18th birthday yet.  I wasn’t even able to have access to my own birth certificate at the time, so I found it hard to believe that I could get a credit card.

I don’t remember receiving any freebies at the time, not that it mattered for signing up. All I remember is having a sense of independence.

The current proposed legislation should help colleges, students and families educate about the use of credit cards.

In my opinion, there also should be personal finance courses in high schools and in colleges to teach students how to manage their money.

I wish there were courses when I attended, but its never too late. There are many resources and seminars out there to help people take control of their finances.

There has been an occurrence of a certain illness (which shall remain nameless)  on a college campus recently. Upon hearing this, I checked the college’s website to see what information they had on their website regarding the illness.

To their credit, they had information on their  the homepage, which then links to information which keeps the college community and the public addressed.

What risk management steps are being taken at your institution in the event of an emergency or an illness?

Former NY state Governor Eliot Spitzer is now an adjunct professor at The City University of New York (better known as CUNY) at City College. Read more about it here.

I know its that time of year. Along with the usual school supplies shopping  hubbub come the (silent scream!) clothes shopping.

Wondering what to wear?

People either entering college or (have been in there for a while, ahem)  are grappling with that one question, what to wear.

Three PhD candidates  serve up inspiration and ideas at academichic as to not only what to wear, but how to do it with style.

Sounds like something I would add to my daily feeds, especially during those moments when I feel I have nothing to wear.

Kudos to @gwenbell for the link.

During my trip to Chicago, I went to a  networking event. At the event, I met an adjunct professor who teaches digital media. We discuss that even in this day and age of Wikipedia and search, that its important that students use and understand the fundamentals of actually using and citing books for research.

Back when I taught, I specifically indicated that I wanted at least 10 sources to be from books. It would be interesting to know if professors are still requiring some if not all of sources cited in student papers to be books.

Its important for students to know the fundamentals of research. After all, we didn’t always have computers and internet connections.

Can I just say that this is not a complete list. With school already starting for some folks and the rest soon to follow, I figured I  would follow up on my list from last year and  release my 2009 version of recommended reading. Granted I wasn’t able to attend every session, I think know that this list will continue to grow with your comments.

In no particular order:  (Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate):

• Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day by Jennifer Grappone
• Measuring Marketing: 103 Key Metrics Every Marketer Needs by John Davis
• Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson
• Transforming a College: The Story of a Little-Known College’s Strategic Climb to National Distinction by George Keller
• A Sense of Urgencyby John P. Kotter
• Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies by Charlene Li
• Get Content Get Customers : Turn Prospects into Buyers with Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi
• Returning to the list for the second year in a row: The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual

Before we start: I would like to reference my Disclosure Policy. This is solely my opinion and no one else’s. 

Welcome to the second third edition of Life after College. It has come to my attention that their is a certain news article about a recent  graduate suing a college because they have not been able to find employment.

Do they realize that we are in a recession? People that have degrees (including people that have multiple degrees) had jobs for years are getting laid off left and right are unable to find jobs. I even know of a teacher who’s salary was cut, so everyone is affected.

Back in the last century, (now I’m dating myself) it took me 6 months to find a job after graduation, also then the economy was a bit shaky.

Like Seth Godin suggested, why not start your own business, or volunteer at a community center to build and showcase skills on a resume.

Also let’s not forget about networking. There are online groups, meetups out there for every career interest. If not create one! It can build on leadership experience. One cannot depend solely on any one source for anything ( I’m still learning that by being a sole proprietor) . Some recent grads also took their message to the streets.

Catch up on books that you wanted to read during college but couldn’t. Read Johnny Bunko. Take classes you want to, not have to take. Volunteer at trade shows and conferences. Be creative, think out of the box, make an impact, and make your own opportunities.

View of Lake Michigan from the North Side

This is the second year that I’ve attended the EduWeb Conference. This year, there were more sessions that I wish I could of attended but couldn’t because some of them happened at the same time. Fortunately, thanks to to the resources of Twitter, I was able to view what was going on, even though I wasn’t in the room.

Here are some of my favorites:

AndreaGenevieve 5. Offer something valuable to constituents you are e-mailing #eduweb

jallgire Homework from @karlynm – get on email marketing lists and when we click on a link, ask ourselves “why”. #eduweb

jallgire Create. Optimize. Link. SEO is a Marathon. Can implement some things quickly but then need to keep doing it.(via @kylejames)  #eduweb

celiaperkins #eduweb Colleges and univ. are businesses! A novel idea! Sure wish they would learn to operate that way.

ECwagner It takes a community to recruit and retain a student! #eduweb

auwebmanager Everyone at your institution should know the school’s elevator pitch. #eduweb

ECwagner Stories not Stats, People not Programs… So true. #eduweb

mdmcginn Lectures are synchrous while students learn asynchrously. #eduweb brian niles

apetersen 6 recommendations: Listen. Participate. Update. Adapt. Analyze. (Repeat.) #eduweb

KarlynM have a clear vision, hire great people, get out of their way and hold them accountable #eduweb

celiaperkins #eduweb It’s not the tool, it’s the CONTENT!

j_rex Just do it. Just do it #eduweb @kylejames

I am here in Chicago for the EduWeb Conference here in Chicago. I will write a summary post when all is said and done, bit in the meantime you can follow me at @nextsteph.