The Chatty Professor Blog
A tenured professor of Communication Studies helps students correctly–not cluelessly–speak/deal with those who teach them. The outcome? Better student-prof relationships, improved grades, and confident and competent communication skills for college and beyond. The opinions expressed are my own or those of commenters. All student situations described are real (at least one term old to protect current students); identifiers have been omitted and carefully disguised to protect student privacy.
“Some Professors Suck at Teaching!”: A Parent and Student Voice Concerns
(We’re back to college success! There are some frustrated folks out there. As a recent guest on Women’s Talk Radio, bunches of students called in about negative experiences with profs–and it was only the first week of school! Here are two comments I recently received. When I read them, I had two thoughts: a) We don’t always help as much we should; and b) Some of us suck sometimes. All faculty were students and we experienced great and not-so-great profs. I hardly have all the answers, but I’m willing to share what...
read moreAnother High School Student Writes: “I Read Last Week’s Post. I Could Really Relate.”
(We interrupt my scheduled program for this week–but only for a day or two–to address yet another student who has a similar issue to last week’s high school student. Abundant thanks to all of you who commented on that post. Can I call on you again for your wisdom? Up next on the blog, many students are struggling now that college is really underway. I’m getting notes like crazy! I’ll talk about two write-in comments regarding professors who seemingly refuse to help. Look for it! One other programming note:...
read moreWhat Would You Say to a High School Student Who Feels Lost and Controlled by Family?
(I’m covering a number of write-in questions, so stay tuned! I bet many of us can relate to this one! Can we provide some support to this student who feels uncertainty and family pressure? Let’s take a look…) “I’m in high school and I don’t have long until I graduate. I am very unsure of what to do when I get out. I planned to go to community college and then attend a university. My family doesn’t agree with that decision (to attend a community college). In my family, the elders decide what career path...
read more
This Prof Was Told “You Should Be On-Call 24-7.” Are Faculty the New Urgent Care?
**Update 10/4: Due to the incredible conversation thus far on Twitter, I’ve created a Storify (my first one!) to capture the wonderful responses! Check them out–you’ll find the varied perspectives on this topic fascinating! Also, thanks to HigherEdJobs.com for sharing this post on their Facebook page! Critical conversation we’re having!!! (Today’s post is driven by a collegial conversation in the faculty-verse. As usual, all identifying details have been altered. E-mail has changed the nature of the...
read morePart 2: With One Less Text, Will You Join an @AngelaMaiers’ #YouMatter Homework Assignment?
(Update! Quick reminder that I’m going to be at the Barnes and Noble, Westwood Village, 10/6, 2 p.m. for a discussion/book event. Come visit! Back to business next week when I pose the question: Are faculty the new Urgent Care? Curious??? For now, in continuation of my last post on texting less and talking more, and the kickoff of my Interpersonal Communication courses, this post is cross-linked with Angela Maiers–with a slightly different slant. I’ll explain…) I heard about Angela Maiers during my early (like,...
read moreDid Your Last Text Deserve a Talk?
(A momentary break from college success… I haven’t written about general interpersonal communication in a while. Well, I’m about to teach two sections starting today, so how timely, right? I’ll try to tame myself with my topic. I think I’ve made my feelings about texting known in the past. If you have a strong counter-argument, I sure welcome your point of view. Ready to start the conversation? I am!) Some of the most uncomfortable conflicts I’ve been in over recent months involved texting. Every time a...
read moreFlo-Rida Gets Millions for Doing This. You’ll Get F’s (Or Worse)
(I’m back already! I guess I was more on the ball than I thought. Don’t you love it when that happens? Ready to talk about the subject all faculty looooove? Flo-Rida, of course! Let’s do it…) My fabulous readers, I can’t wait to see students again, but there is one part of my job that feels a little daunting when I think about coming back to it (And, no, it isn’t the fact that my building only has one single toilet for a whole bunch of women, though that does get a little dicey sometimes): Speech outlines...
read moreWhat Would Happen If Your Boss Received These E-mails?
(Here I am already! Returning to school may give me more ideas for blogging than I can keep up with! A quick post because it is timely for me… and important. Critical even. I hope you feel the same. A couple programming notes: Tonight, 9/17, 6 p.m. if you have some time, join me as @YouTern’s guest on Twitter for their #InternPro chat. We’re talking about “School and Career Success: The Art of Interacting with Professors.” Could the topic be any more parallel after you read today’s post? Join the...
read moreMore On How To Use Facebook To Talk About (And Remember!) What You’re Studying
(As I prepare to return to my full-time teaching post next week after a year away, my blogging may be a little choppy over the next month. My treasured audience, please know that I am dedicated to you and to this blog. Please be patient with me as I find my new normal–yet again! Quick reminder that if you are in the Seattle area, come on down and visit with me at the UW Bookstore on September 18, 7 p.m. Now, on to some more Facebook study tips!) Back in April, I blogged about how to use Facebook with your #1 study tool: Your mouth. In...
read moreBuy the Book!
In Say This, NOT That to Your Professor: 36 Talking Tips for College Success, an award-winning, tenured communication professor takes you “inside the faculty mind...Click here to Buy on Amazon
A tenured professor of Communication Studies helps students correctly--not cluelessly--speak/deal with those who teach them.
Connect with Ellen