My Goal of educating students are the following:
First is to impart the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to students. Like the philosphers do. Second is to help them develop their "soft or career skills." Third is to help them achieve their goals with flying colors. Lastly is touching students lives. That I have done something good. Giving them good education, changing their prospective in life in a good way and I'm a part of their success.
Wesley,
I feel strongly this is our goal. Many ways to go about it, but at the core, to me, that is our goal.
Barry Westling
One primary goal of educating students is to make sure the students are learning. Students should be challenged in the classroom and make sure concepts are retained. Instructors can carry this task through class assingments, demonstrations, and quizzes and exams.
Brendon,
Nice summary. The curriculum and environment at career colleges (once thought of as trade schools) are more comprehensive than ever before with higher expectations for graduates by employers. Critical thinking perhaps is the most helpful adjunctive skill we can provide, as this helps both in school, at work, and in the students personal life.
Barry Westling
I believe the goal of educating students is the correct and useful application of the knowledge they have acquired. It is moving beyond the theoretical into the experiential, by developing not only a knowledge base but critical thinking and troubleshooting, in order to bring solutions about. It also involves modeling the soft skills and impressing those upon your students.
James,
Yes! If we can get students to think on their feet, we will have accomplished much, especially for the workplace, but also at home and in their personal lives.
Barry Westling
Rosemary,
Good point. I think piggybacking new information with related information, or examples that help trigger retention of new information is a great idea. Another suggestion is preview new content. I used to think this was not a good use of time but now realize taking a few minutres to have the students read the foreward, table of contents, chapter outline, chapter objectives, key terms, then scan through the chapter really helps give a "preview of coming attractions". Of course this could be done at home or away from class. The advantage I have is I can emphasize certain points, tables, graphs, and diagrams to my advantage.
Barry Westling
The goal is two fold: to train in technical competencies and to instruct in applying one's knowledge to life's challenges. We educate students to increase their ability to succeed at work, at play, at life.
I think we have to get them invested in each topic. I teach the first nursing class and getting them invested in a topic like Fluid and Electrolyte Balance can be near impossible.
This week, however, we are discussing Diabetes and I start out asking them to stand if they have diabetes, or have a relative, friend etc with it. Inevitably at least 80% of the class is standing when I finish asking questions and I have their undivided attention!
Now if only I could figure out a way to do that for Fluid and Electrolyte Balance.
Kari,
Right! We want our students prepared for their work setting and we want to give them all that we can to make that experience successful.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is giving the rescources and tools to succeed at tasks and develop new skills learned in a classroom setting.
Jamie,
These are important. Also I think achieveing course goals, student learning outcomes, and any skills that directly pertain to the profession are musts. If we can give them critical thinking skills as well, we can help them be successful bothy in work and in their personal lives.
Barry Westling
I think that the main goal is to make sure the students are interested in what they are doing. If they don't like what they are going to school for they will not be a success.
Lulu,
Of course we need to meet our course objectives. I think it's impotant that whenever possible, we individualize instruction to make class more interesting, as doing so will result in better participation and engagement.
Barry Westling
To teach students what they are interested in. The education our students' receive are all from experienced instructors who have worked in that particular field.
ANTOINETTE,
Yep! On a smaller scale, meeting the course objectives is one goal. More broadly, preparing the student for their work (and personal life)often accompanies the primary goal. I aslo think we can provide hope...hope for a better future and life for themselves and their families.
Barry Westling
The goal of education is to give students the knowledge they need in order to be productive in both society and in their chosen professions.
Andrea,
Right. It is really impossible to convey all that students need to know in the training program alone. They have to be able to think for themselves. Good critical thinking skills will provide them with the ability to think on their feet, apply material we've taught, and make good employees because of it.
Barry Westling
David,
A noble goal indeed! Like a parent, we want our kids to do well. Using that same analogy, we can help them the most by being thorough, meeting the course objectives, and teaching important skills such as preparedness, patience, courtesy, and critical thinking. These, along with complete course knowledge will help them both in work and in their personal lives. "A good education prepares one for life".
Barry Westling
I feel that the goal for educating students is not only to give them the knowlege required to work in their field, but the ability to apply that knowlege critically in the field they are entering.
