Professors - Prepare a Toolkit to Take to Class

Although most faculty use many high tech7. Paper clips - Although I am not a big fan of paper
innovations in the classroom, let's not forget theclips, you might as well have some in there.
necessity for some of the basic accoutrements.8. Pencils & pens - Just like elementary teachers
After a couple of years of hearing frequent requestskeep extra writing implements available, we might as
for some basic office supplies and also recognizingwell, too. And sometimes it's YOU who needs the
that there were times I wished I had some stickypen or pencil, not just the students.
notes or whiteboard markers in a classroom, I9. Scissors - You might as well have a pair handy.
purchased a nice clean, new toolbox at a local Costco10. Highlighters - I think it's worth having these and
and then filled it with the following:marking them with a label with your name. You really
are intending for these only to be used in the class
1. Post-it(r) notes - Nice for notes or for quickand not carried off, so label your highlighters (and
activities that required a sticky note.most everything else).
2. Dry-erase markers - Even though these should be11. Chalk (yes, indeedy) - Plenty of classrooms still
provided in the classrooms, they often are not or thehave chalkboards.
ones provided are as dry as a bone.12. Extension cord - Pretty amazing how few plugs
3. Scotch tape - I can't list the different uses you orare in some classrooms; take a cord (and remember
the students might have for tape.to take it with you when you leave!)
4. Masking tape - Could be for a classroom use or13. Door stop (I bought these in large packets at a
could tape in the hem of a pair of pants. Believe me.local Home Depot) - I had to buy them in bulk
I know.because I often left them behind. I figured if I taught
5. Stapler (and extra staples) - Not sure I need toat the University long enough, I'd end up outfitting
explain why you might need a stapler. I'm sure youevery classroom with a doorstop. I wasn't there
know. however here is what I would emphasize.quite long enough for that...but I did my part.
Have a toolkit stapler that is separate from yourI took the same toolkit to class regardless of
office one. That is true for all of the items in the kit.whether I was teaching an undergraduate methods
You want to have your office set and leave thecourse, a graduate level seminar, or a class for
toolkit set in the toolkit.professors. I never knew for sure which items I
6. Hole punch - This was important because many ofwould need and I did not have to pack and repack
my student assignments needed to be put intomy toolkit; it was always ready to grab and go.
notebooks prior to turning them in. Students definitelyThis was a good investment on my part and saved
appreciated the fact that I had a decent 3-holeme a great deal of time and frustration over the
punch that they could use.years.