Some model behaviors that I can do as an instructor is to always dress professionally. I can also make sure I am prepared for my class so I look professional and not stumbling over myself.
Hi Andre,
Good question and one that is still being answered on a number of fronts. One thing that remains a constant is the human relations aspect of teaching and career preparation. In spite of all the technology knowing how to conduct one's self in a professional manner is critical. The changes we see in other areas are still evolving but social interaction is still a basic. This is why there are many discussions about social networking sites and what role they plan in education and connections with the real world.
Gary
Hello Gary,
What an interesting point. As an instructor it is possible that it will become more difficult over time to create the same connection within the classroom due to the movements within generation Y. As they rely more and more on the cyberspace interaction and disconnect from the physical connection with on another we are faced with a challenge. So the question really is, how do we compensate within the physical classroom and what is our cyber attire?
I think an importnat one to to act professional both inside and outside the classroom - even walking to and from class students are always watching you
Hi Brian,
The people factor is so important. Many times students miss this point in their education. Without the people factor and the knowledge and skill to work with diverse groups career success is going to be a challenge at best.
Gary
I try to stress to my students, that our industry is truly a people industry. So talent alone is not enough for a successful career. Learning how to be around different types of people in various situations, and how to get a long with them, is crucial for getting work in a freelance industry.
There are many things that I must do as an instructor to create a model of success.
First, I must respect the student. This goes a long way. We must respect everyone in our work environment and we should show it as we teach.
Second, I must be prepared with quality material. My preparation for each class should be as good as what I deliver in the work environment.
Third, promptness. I need to be prompt in both starting lectures and providing feedback and grades. This not only helps them but builds an expectation of professionalism.
These are just a few, there are many more.
Hi Lauren,
You are right about the need for students to be able to work together on common problems or goals. The Gen Y students are socially connected but often times lacking in the ability to interact and cooperate with each other since their social contacts are often technical in nature rather than personal. The older students have the personal skills of interacting and get frustrated with the younger students in getting them to interact with each other.
Gary
Hi Andre,
That is what being a model is all about. You are the instructor and a model for your career field. By showing student an example of what a professional is all about you are setting the standard for them strive for.
Gary
As a role model, i feel it is important to demonstrate respect for classmates and instructors. In the hospitality industry, working together as a team is the only way to reach a common goal. By demonstrating these values in the classroom, students will have a better understanding of what is acceptable in the workforce.
the way we dress should be appropriate for the firkd we are teaching our language and behavior and the way we handle situations and our responses shoul be professional at all time.
In order to model proper behavior I need to enter the classroom with confidence and proper materials. Dressing for the job, if I walked into a classroom with a t-shirt, a hat on backwards, and ripped up jeans I will not gain the respect of my students. I am also not providing the proper dress code for the industry. I need to ensure that I have a solid and planned lecture as well as allowing for improvisation and fielding student questions.
I agree with this. Many students view their professors as inspiring role models.
One of the keys to helping students succeed is to model behaviors that demonstrate that you are serious about student success. Dressing professional, being on time, having materials ready for distribution, returning assignments back on time are just a few. When students see the hard work and effort that you put into a course, they will most likely do the same.
Absolutely! Many of our students rely on us for support. They need to know when they are doing a good job and how they can make any necessary improvements. This only assits them in becoming more accurate and confident in what they are doing.
Hello Nicholas,
We definitely have to identify the needs of our students. In order to provide the best assistance to them, we must be aware of the inforamtion they need to know and the best way to present it. Providing opportunities for every to learn effectively is necessary.
Many of our students view us as the model for professionalism. We must set the example that is appropriate to follow. I often tell students that our work is a reflection of us as individuals.Doing our best should be a priority.
In our effort to get the course material across and to meet the course objectives, I think we often forget the "soft" skills. These may be more important than the skills or knowledge we are teaching. For a professional to succeed and to advance, he must be able to: work well with other people, write and speak well, form and lead teams, provide constructive feedback, and understand organizational politcs. We should try to find opportunities to give students experience in these areas and well as in the course's subject area.
I strongly agree. The student's furture employers will certainly have high expectations and their ability to be successful will depend on their ability to meet, or better, to exceed these expectations.
One of the most difficult changes facing a student in a new area is the need to learn the language, including acronyms, used by professionals in that career area. But, a student cannot be successful in the course or in that career field unless he is able to talk the lingo. Moreover, he may not even be able to get a job in the career field.
