As an elementary principal with many years of experience, the most successful activity was to engage students in a conversation about what they considered an ideal learning environment. With the ideal environment defined, students were ready to write the rules for acceptable behavior. Their input alone,maximized student cooperation.
Cathy, how often do meet with your fellow instructors? Do you ever have an opportunity to discuss policies and regulations as a group? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
I agree with you Shannon. You mention many things that I find helpful in making the students feel wanted and a part of their learning process. Knowing the student's name is very important. Also, I go over the course syllabus for them to know what is expected of them to successfully finish the course. I think more important is a "Suggestions for a successful class" that I hand out the first day and go over with them. Basically things to make it easy for everyone to get along and be respectful of each other. There have been a few times that it did not work in the past 11 years, but not many,thank goodness. I discuss with them that I am there to assist them to be successful. My goal is that everyone completes their course work well enough to move to the next class. The most important aspect of that is their consistent attendance. Don't get me wrong...I do not "tell them all the answers". Instead I try to lay out the course in reasonable compartments with basic language. That would be the best thing I have learned over the last 11 years, is to NOT talk above their heads. But don't act stupid either. Just be easy to communicate with. More often than not, they respond in postive ways.
Our school and department policies and regulations are not enforced by all Instructors consistantly which present problems for those of us that are.
Sandy, is there a peer forum where you can share your thoughts and concerns? Having consistancy can be valuable but is also somewhat inconsistant with the real-world. Teaching students how to manage themselves in a world where inconsistancy is the only consistant factor could be very valuable to their sense of how to manage themselves day to day. Both sides of this conversation have value and would be good if you could discuss with a group of your peers and also discuss your concerns with your administration.
James Jackson
Robb, what channels are available to you where you can raise awareness of your concerns? There are pros and cons to strick rules that have no waiver options. Would be good to know the perspective of your administrators as to why sometimes the rules need to be applied and why sometimes they are not important. How should a student prepare for their day if one classroom is more relaxed than another? What information is provided to students so they know how to handle such situations? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Regular and consistent department meeting where expectations of staff and faculty are clear is the best way...and often the most difficult. Getting faculty to embrace policy and maintain consistency would minimize disturbances as students shift from class to class.
We have similar issues at our campus, as the others. Strict dress codes that have been relaxed to allow earrings, is an example. Yet, the instructor has the final call on whether or not earrings are allowed in their classroom. This creates a lack of consistency for the student. The rule needs to be black and white, no shades of gray.
More frustrating is the requirement for all (students, faculty & staff) to wear ID badges on a lanyard at all times. This is for security and allows access to the buildings by unlocking doorways. This is a good rule and has many benefits. The problem is when a student forgets to wear their badge. To be allowed in class they are required to go to admin and get a temporary, 1 day pass. But, when they do there is no effort to verify the ID of the student, nullifying the security aspect. A big deal is made about having badges to prevent illegal entry or to identify trespassers. Yet, all an "illegal" has to do is obtain a uniform and wear it to the office and ask for a temp badge. A very big hole in a supposedly important security program.
toni, what conversations have you had with your supervisors or members of the administration to share with them your concerns?
James Jackson
I think we get into a lot of sticky situations if we decide to follow some rules but not others. Inconsistent discipline and enforcement of the rules is often worse than no rules at all. Administrators can fluctuate wildly on which rules they want to enforce now, and which they let fade away-- only to bring back with Draconian enforcement later. When instructors try to enforce a rule with a student, and the administration asks you to let it slide "this time" you are sending a dangerous message to the students that all of the rules are subjecet to enforcement or not, depending on how much complaining they do about it. If this were parenting instead of education, this would be a sure-fire prescription for producing a very badly behaved child.
Mary, I understand your statement and for students that already have been working on their classes for at least a year this is good advice. I do however suggest a different message for those students just starting their program. Perhaps something more positive and engaging to get them more excited about their educational goals. Again, I agree with your statement but feel it is better positioned later in their program.
James Jackson
What I say to my students is this: "all these people are competing for your job" what is different about you, what are you bringing to the table that every other student does not have. Bring it back to the students. Corp. is allowing you to have these things, out there in the real world in some places it is acceptable but in some places its not, you are closing that many doors for your self is that piercing worth it?
martin, looks like you are doing a good job setting the example and modeling the behavior you want from your students. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
We supply our students with 5 uniforms with boots. All of our instructors also were dress shirts and dress pants. No visible piercings.
Martin, what are the current issues with dress code at your institution? Do all students have access to the proper clothing? Does your institution provide any assistance with respect to professional dress? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Melanie, you have hit on a very common topic and there are never easy answers. One suggestion is to get involved within any group discussions that may be available such as a discussion group. Invite both instructors and administrators and get the conversations moving forward. If there is a lack of support for the rules, why are the rules in place? Is there some level of a happy medium you can find so you are able to enforce the rules you feel are vital to the success of your class and be more relaxed on those rules that do not seem to have much support from the administration?
James Jackson
I couldn't agree more with you !! It is sad that this happens in proprietory schools but the bottom line is "the money." It is especially frustrating when it involves careers in the medical field.
I enjoyed this "course" however it brought to light some of the problems that we are experiencing at our school . Specifically, the inconsistencies in enforcing the schoolwide rules and regulations especially in the areas of dress code and foodcell phones in the classroom. Some instructors enforce the rules whereas others do not. There hasn't been a lot of support from "administration" in this area and I find it very troubling to deal with. Those of us that DO enforce the rules are known as being "hard and strict" by the students.We also have multiple "programs" with different department heads which also creates a problem in enforcing the rules. Any suggestions?????
Student should be required to dress according to their prospective job
Craig, agreed. There are many tools that can assist in this area such as DiSK, Myers Briggs, and Hogan. All have their pros and cons but each can be helpful when used correctly.
James Jackson
