Instructors as Role Models
What are some ways you can model behaviors that will help your students to succeed in their career field?
Hi Carol,
Good approach. This is an important concept because the students will soon be in the work world so they need to have not only the knowledge and skills but also the "soft skills" needed to successful in their careers. Treating the classroom like a job is a good way to help them learn these skills.
Gary
I tell the students that they are expected to treat the school as a job. They are expected to not only be punctual but to arrive a few minutes early, turn off the cell phone (huge issue)and be prepared to "work". I have had problems with students constantly texting during lectures and demonstrations and actually had a student carry a "dummy" phone to show me it was turned off. Obviously, a position of employment would not tolerate this kind of behavior and these soft skills are needing to be reinforced with the school from the beginning. If the student doesn't follow my modeling, then they are not learn how to keep a job and assuming these behaviors are correct.
Some of the best ways to serve as a role model to your students is to lead by example. The "do as I do" menatlity is the best way to do this. When you lead by example then the students will follow in your foot steps.
Dressing like a professtional. Speaking like a professtionl. And conducting yourself as a professtional.
Hi Phil,
Great list of how how to maintain and expand your professionalism. This is what being a dedicated educator is all about.
Gary
Hi James,
This is an excellent model to follow. You are constantly reinforcing to the students what a person in their career field should be like. The use of professionals from the outside is always good because the students can see it isn't just your opinion but is the way the field operates.
Gary
Hello,
In response to "ways I can model behaviors to help students succeed in the career," I do the following:
I maintain membership in my professional organizations. Through these organizations, a Therapist can connect with the leaders in each state and each city.
I maintain my practice in a major medical center, thereby establishing that I am current in evidence-based practices. I do not wish to merely read from a book about how to do a proceedure. Students respect advice and instructions from those who are in clinical practice.
I show how I work with fellow therapists, thereby modeling for the students that which I hope is a good pattern of cooperative practice. Teams are here. I must teach teamwork.
I believe the first part is setting the tone from day one. You establish a model and create a standard of a successful professional in the field for the students to perceive. Building upon your own model you can bring in additional professionals in the community. Students will gain additional depth from the more professional interactions they are exposed. Our program is almost entirely focused in a "lab" setting. It is paramount to establish the labratory rules/expectations; however, it would also be of great benefit to demonstrate your model behavior outside of the lab. Demonstrate soft skills communicating with the public. Model interviewing skills and behaviors.
to be the role model for the students guide them the right path and be successful in life
I agree - it is almost scary how many students think that everything should be handed out to them piece by piece and if they don't retain it it is the instructors fault. I try to show them by my examples the soft skills they will need for the career they are training for but also try to show them the skills needed for this career. If I see a lack of retention on any of the skills I will re-address them.
Hi Jennifer,
Good points about professional development needs of students. I see this all the time with my students. We do need to focus on this each day so our students can develop not only knowledge but also soft skills that will enable them to be success in the workforce.
Gary
In regards to professionalism being "foreign", when I first started instructing the population of students that we have at our institution, I was more than surprised that a majority of our students have no idea how to be professional. I have found that we have to lead by example with every step that we take. Some of the students tend to mimic our every move. I also have to constantly remind them of how important customer service is and will be in their future careers and make sure that they are practicing this every day.
I always make sure that I am dressed in a professional manner. First impressions are important in setting the tone of the class. Because I teach general education courses, I am always trying to connect the skills they are learning in my classes to their future career fields, including good communication skills and understanding different cultures. I make sure to be on time, organized, and respond to student's needs as best as I can. These are the characteristics that I want the students to have on the job.
Being professional at all times is a way to help students succeed at all times. Since I am teaching in the clinical area it is very important to be an example in the way I approach staff, patients, physicians, ancillary staff, and other students as well.
Hi Angela,
I experience this same culture each time I teach a class. I have to work very hard to sift their thinking to include effort and perseverance as a part of their thinking process. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Good point thanks for bringing it up.
Gary
So very true. Always be mindful of the students perception of you.
It is a culture of entitlement that these students come from. I have had many students who feel that because they come to class they deserve to pass, regardless if they hand in their work or put in any effort. It's unfortunate. I don't think this feeling of entitlement can be changed in the classroom, it is a culture thing. Its bigger than that.
Hi Daniel,
Good points. I agree with your assessment and the cry for common sense as a part of instructional planning. Students need to know how to work with others if they are going to be successful in their careers and to do that they need to know how to do it directly, not through an electronic format.
Gary
At the risk of sounding like my Father; I agree students today seem to lack manners and simple consideration for others. I try to look back at my years as a student and try to remember if I was the same. In my day (1980's) as a college studetn we did not have cell phones and lap tops. If we wanted to communicate with a person we had to do so in person! Today, text messaging and emails dominate communication. Since body language accounts for the majority of communication, todays students lack experience in this critical method of communication. The cost of progress I guess. Unfortunately for students, success is directly related to the ability to develop relationships with others, which, in turn, requires communicative skills, whcih, in turn, requires manners and consideration for others... bringing us full circle in what is lacking in today's students.
