Hi Michael,
That's right! Anyone can tell when the are being rushed or brushed off. We need to make our students feel as though they are the most important people in the building because afterall they are.
Patricia
Hi Brenda,
That's right! When you step foot in that door of the school all of your personal problems need to be left at the door. We need to give our students our absolute best every day.
Patricia
Hi Paul,
Students see the relevance of the course once they understand how the course relates to their profession.
Patricia
Hi Dale,
Students want to and need to hear our personal experience as they apply to the course. Students are really not looking for another friend. They are looking to someone to model themselves after.
Patricia
Relating personal expierence to the material you are covering. Being friendly without becoming the students friend.
One thing I do is to greet each student at the door before class starts. Make sure all material is organized. Relate to them what is being covered that day and how it relates to their profession.
I make sure that I leave my luggage at the entrance of the school. NEVER bring it to work . Students can pick up quickly when you are in a bad mood, stressed out and can use that to their advantage.
Very true. Not rushing or brushing off a student, or being too busy is CRUCIAL. First impressions are hard to do over again if they think you're not helpful.
A balance of being firm, fair, and fun is my motto.
Hi John,
I understand, we all have had those moments, "Oh, is that plugged in?" Students alike will have these moments as well, we just have to figure out that it is not plugged in and plug it in and move forward.
Patricia
Hi Jo,
I move from class to class as well. I have a pulling cart on wheels that I consider my portable desk. This pulling cart is the best investment I have made in my 22 years of teaching. It is a great piece of equipment to help keep an instructor organized and prepared.
Patricia
Since I rove from class to class, I have created portable files on wheels, complete with necessary classroom materials, books, pencils, papers, clips, etc. This way the students can see I am organized, if I am observed by an administrator, they, too, will see that I am taking the necessary steps to prove organizational skills in a somewhat difficult situation...classroom roving.
I certainly agree that there is no place for friendship between student and instructor. In my case, my reserved, rather chilly, personality actually becomes an asset.
The students know I want them to do well, and that I will support them if they are willing to work, but we aren't 'buds'.
There is, however, a difference between "personal problems" and "personal experience", some of which can involve IT problems. Often I can make a point quite graphic by showing a dumb mistake I have made -- this means that students need to be on the watch not to make the same kind of mistakes, or to recognize them when they are made.
"Oh, is that plugged in?"
Something to add to this: in IT, which is what I teach, even though I have established myself as an authority, I make it clear that I don't know everything. Nor does anyone else.
There is nothing wrong about not knowing -- what is wrong is not making effort to correct the situation once you know you do not know. So I make my classes more collaborative by showing the students that if they have experience to share, it is all grist for the mill.
I like to say "I learn as much from my students as they do from me".
There is a strange dichotomy at work here, exemplified by the word "image", because the instructor's role is to get the truth across to his students, yet the means for doing so may involve an element of fabrication.
One of the aspects of a positive instructor image is authority. This one ought not to be too hard to establish -- you have had training and experience in the subject matter you are teaching, and this is why they are there. I actually take part of my first class explaining exactly this to the students.
But another aspect is the caring persona -- and in fact I am rather a cold fish. In order not to turn my students off I use humour and vivid impressions, so that instead of seeing "the real me", they see a person who is in fact concerned with that they are doing. Or in other words: "The most important thing is sincerity -- once you can fake that, you have it made."!
Being organized, imposing a structure on the class, giving clear and consistent feedback in a timely manner, and dealing with the students as human beings [particularly important with adult students] are all components of this. The main point is to make all these things clear through example as well as precept, so that the student see you walk the talk.
By maintaining professional distance and comming prepared to the class, having clear agenda and a class plan and sticking to it make the students take instructor seriously and show respect.
accepting mistakes boldly and correcting it makes it an example for students not to fear mistakes but accept them and correct them.
creating healthy image of the class room
environment and its expectation creates a postive image about the instructor.
Creating a positive instructor image is important. It sets the tone of your classroom. Being professional is a must. That includes dressing appropriately, being organized, punctual, prepared and having a positive attitude. I believe that the attitude makes the person.
I need to be organized.
I need to be over prepared for class.
I need to dress neatly so I feel good about myself.
Explain my experience in the field.
Hi Sheila,
You are right! Students can quickly tell if you are thoroughly prepared! Preparation is a must!
Patricia
