Text Expander = Grading Time Saver

Over the years I have spent hours typing the same grading feedback over and over to each student. Often times, students make the same mistakes on assignments and the task of providing feedback can be daunting.

Leaving feedback was a time consuming task until I began using TextExpander from Smile. This useful application has saved me hours of time when I am grading simple assignments and discussions.

You may say, “Leaving feedback only takes about a minute”. But take that minute; multiply it by thirty students and three assignments. Now you have just spent ninety minutes leaving feedback, more than likely typing the same thing over and over.

TextExpander has a great feature which allows you to copy and past text. This feature allows you to customize your “snippet” and tailor your feedback to each student.

Take for example you are grading discussions; the requirements are often standard. Students should post on three days during the course of the week, meeting a specific length guideline.  My typical feedback for a good discussion grade would be “Great job on the discussions this week, you have meet the guidelines. You also brought up a great point when you mentioned”….” However, when I use TextExpander I only have to highlight what I want to copy from the students post and type “dqg” (the specified  abbreviation for my snippet).  This simple 2 – 5 key entry saves me hours of time over the course of the week.

I recommend you check TextExpander out. You will appreciate the time saver!

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Thanks for your time friend,


Brian Robison, M.S.
Next Level Educator
www.nextleveleducator.com
President
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Mac vs. PC in Online Teaching

Like many of you, I used a PC for the most of my adult life and in college. Hoping not to age myself here, but the only real memories that I have of Apple computers were the green screened boxes that I may have used in middle school. I am sure they where good for many productive tasks, but we mainly used them for games, heck we were kids! Another memory that I have about Macintosh computers was when I was writing my masters thesis in college and a friend of mine let me use a laptop that she called a Macbook. I was going to use this mainly as a word processor and not much more. After a week of frustration and less than a page of work completed, I graciously returned the machine.

Now, lets jump ahead to about three years ago. I had been teaching online for many years at this point and I was quite good at it. My biggest challenge I had was dealing with my computer problems. Many times, these computer issues  could take up a better part of my day and I felt that I was wasting a great deal of time. I had read a number of great reviews about the new iMac and decided to give it a try. Admittedly, at first I was a bit frustrated and probably a bit stubborn. But once I got moving and was able to understand what this shiny machine could do for me, I was truly impressed.

My only real regret today is that I did not get a mac sooner. I say this because, it has changed the way I do my job. Being able to have a computer that "just works" has allowed me to get my work done in a more efficient manner and had I am sure has made me a better educator. I know that there are many skeptics out there that are not the biggest fan of Apple. I suggest taking a look at these great machines and how they can change your life. I can honestly say that my investment had more than paid for itself.  With the advancements in virtual machines, you can have the best of both worlds. What are your thoughts? Are you a Mac or a PC? Are there any inherent differences that you can think of? What are the benefits? What have you experienced?

Thanks for your time friend,


Brian Robison, M.S.
Next Level Educator
www.nextleveleducator.com
President
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If I Can Do It.....

A question that one must ask themselves before deciding to pursue any type of a career teaching online, either part time or full time is if it is a good fit for them. I went to school to be a law enforcement officer and I thought that was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. That would not be the worst thing in the world. It is a very respectable job with many great professionals. I had the idea that maybe I could teach part time at a local community college near my home, if I was lucky. In my head, I pictured myself getting a second job to make some extra money, because I think we can all agree that traditionally, you are not going to get rich being a law enforcement officer. I saw myself driving to the campus a couple nights a week and taking myself from my family and friends. I have taught well over 500 college classes in my life and I have yet to have to get in my car and drive there! I can assure that when I was in college, I never thought that I would be a full time teacher. Me a teacher? I am just a dumb knucklehead turnkey that needs to spend my time locking people up not teaching them. Apparently, I was wrong in that assumption. What baffles me about what I have accomplished in my life is how I got to where I am today. I have never taken a class on how to be a teacher and 10 years ago the best piece of technology that I had was the stereo in my car, because it had the option to have a red display or green.

When I sit back and think about it, I am pretty amazed with the path that I have taken. I know that anything is possible when you have the persistence and the drive to be successful. I know that may seem cliche, but it is true. Will I ever become a millionaire on the cover of Forbes magazine? Probably not. Have I afford myself to live a life that I could never have dreamed? You bet I have! I have spent a great deal of time trying to get people to understand my point of view and I am quickly learning that life is what you make of it and anything is truly possible. People want to hear my story, they want to know how I did it. They want to know if I can do it anyone can do it (talk about a cliche!). They want to know how a low class country boy from Nowheresville, Michigan that came from a broken home with a dead mother at the age of 11 and abusive people in his life; that spent a week living in his car in the middle of winter to one of the top online educators in the country. Well, my friend, pull up a chair and I will tell you. On this website, are you going to learn how to get a job teaching online and how to become the best at your job? Absolutely! But I will also share with you how to be successful at life. Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it! But success, goes well beyond being good at something. You need to be successful at life and truly appreciate what you have and what you have accomplished. I feel like I have so much more to accomplish in my life and I am always am trying to better myself and the people around me. I want you to be one of those people. I look forward sharing my journey with you and help you blaze your own trail. Sign up today and get started!

Thanks for your time friend,

Brian Robison, M.S.
Next Level Educator
www.nextleveleducator.com
President
Contact Me Now! 
Free Online Classes 

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