Faculty Advisor Spotlight on Guy Dadson – Fullerton College (CA)

Guy Dadson, a Chemistry professor at Fullerton College, uses MasteringChemistry primarily for homework. Until recently, “Mastering assumed the role of a course management tool,” says Dadson, who posted materials and grades in the program. In the upcoming term, Dadson hopes to use MasteringChemistry to assess student learning outcomes (SLOs).

The biggest advantage Dadson noticed since using MasteringChemistry? Assessment. “Mastering allows me to assess all of my students’ homework – something that never would have occurred before,” he says. Coupled with the diagnostic tools, it just takes a few clicks for Dadson to determine where his students are struggling the most. This allows him to modify his instruction “on the fly, creating a dynamic lecture setting.”

Being a Pearson Faculty Advisor saves Dadson from falling into a routine as a Mastering user.

I found myself settling into a routine [with MasteringChemistry].  I became comfortable with certain functions and features and began ignoring much of the additional functionality.  As a Faculty Advisor I have the opportunity to revisit the different functions and abilities of Mastering.  This has led me to begin changing how I use Mastering in my courses, and to also consider how I might alter my courses to better use Mastering.

For new Faculty Advisors, Dadson suggests they try to respond to all email requests they come across and check back on the entire thread that follows. “You may not have the ‘best’ response to a question, but a good deal is learned from the effort in producing a response,” says Dadson who not only learns by responding to others’ questions, but also by reading what his peers say. In this way, one never stops learning. In a very sage-like moment, Dadson says, “It is in trying to become a ‘master’ with Mastering that one truly learns of all the abilities Mastering can afford instructors and students in the online environment.”

How do you use the assessment features within MyLab and Mastering products to reach out to students and/or adjust lecture materials?