good instructors will lead by example, one could not exprct students to have good habits and behavior is there leaders dont
Having a passion to teach students about a subject that you care deeply about. Saying that, having the proper class enviroment to learn in is key.Its tempting to want to be a buddy to alot of my students, but some will try and use that to their advantage.Being more of a guide will help to avoid those type situations.
After going through the different styles of classroom management in this module, it's easy to see a little of myself and my colleagues in each of the styles described - depending on the situation!
As instructors, our goal is to successfully deliver the course material and ensure the learning outcomes for the students - and being a Buddy might help get them into tutoring, but will NOT help when they act out or do not do the work.
Caring deeply about what we do, and the success of our students requires that fine balance of the Guide's organizational skills, knowledge of learning styles, and classroom management.
On my best days I am a compassionate, Student Focused Guide. On my worse days, a wee bit of a Controller. I hope never to allow myself to fall into the easy ways of the Buddy, but it's something this modules shed a light onto for me.
Thank you!
Staying in control and calm is a major requirement. Realizing that the instructor is going to be able to handle whatever happens is key.
Students want predictable responses, so they know what is expected.
A lot of this parallels the employer/employee relationship. Students should be treated with respect, but need to be held accountable in return.
In my opinion, some instructor traits/characteristics that are important for good classroom management should be the following: (1)Be professional (2)Be enthusiastic with what you are teaching (3)Have respect for students (4) Be prepared and be on time for classroom (5) Have patience for students (6)Be interactive with students (7)Provide a safe environment for student learning.
Since taking this course, I see myself in each of the three styles of the classroom management "the Buddy, Guide, and Controller". Most of the students I have worked with are near my age and they see me as their "Buddy" friend. At the same time, they have the utmost respect for me as an instructor. I would prefer to be the "Guide" instructor and not have student's ask me about my personal life so much. Most of the times, my student's feel comfortable with me to share and talk about their personal life as well. The group of students I work with so far are great. They are not nosy students, but I feel that they just want to know me as a "person". My only concern is having student's asking me about my personal life. What do I tell them so that they are not offended? Any comments welcome.
Thank you!
I believe the successful instructor for adults is patient, respectful, and mature. Among the best characteristic is that of an active listener. An active listener is able to guide a student and synthesize the best of both the controller and the buddy.
A good instrucotr must follow the rules, but still be approachable and respeced by the students. Their lesson plans must be consistant and fair.
James, I usually do not have a problem getting my students involved in discussions or group works. I also do not usually have a problem with students acting out or being a distractions, but I do have a few that seem apathetic even when I try to make something fun rather than cut and dry. I will try to call on these students to answer questions or try to place them in groups who are more active and motivated, but most of the time the apathetic students will just sit in the corner or stare at the wall silently. How can I reach these individuals without singling them out in class or taking time away from the other active students?
Be professional, dont talk down to the students, always stay ingauged, answer thier questions in an earnest way, always respect them even if your thoughts may be different.
I believe that it is important to have a good repore with your students. You must be someone that they feel they can ask questions easily. It is important to be organized and have a clearly defined lesson plan daily. Students strive on structure and well developed lesson plans. Lastly it is very important to be interractive with the students. They need to have an instructor that will guide them through the instructional process and make sure that they have a clear understanding of the expectations and educational goals.
THe instructor should be knowledgeable, provide discipline, but also be approachable.
I believe that the traits of a successful instruction include being professional and personable at the same time. I think that an instructor needs to be professional in the sense that the need to display the proper behavior of someone who works in the given career in which they are teaching so students can emulate that behavior. I also feel that professionalism includes following the rules and regulations of the school so that again the students can emulate the proper behavior for that institution and that they understand that the rules apply to everyone. And when rules and regulations are violated the instructor approaches the situation in a tactful manner in which the student does not feel humiliated and the situation does not escalate. Now, on the personable trait, I believe the instructor should show a human side to themselves meaning that they should try to get to know the student as more than just a student so that they can understand, encourage and help the student when personal/school problems arise. I also believe that an instructor needs to be compansionate, caring, and just simply display an overall desire to show each and every student that you are there to help them succeed and will do everything within your power to make sure that happens.
An important trait of successful instructors is that of a "classroom LEADER". Good leaders know their "following" as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the group's personality. There are times when the classroom leader needs to direct from the front, times when the classroom leader needs to "push" from behind, and as this course mentions, times when the classroom leader will move together alongside the group.
More often than not, a classroom will take on the personality of their classroom leader. Positivity, enthusiasm, and energy create a fertile learning environment when the classroom instructor leads by the same example. Similarly, being organized, prompt, and self-motivated are qualities that will reflect back to the instructor once the student recognize that their classroom leader has very high expectations and standards for himself. A successful instructor knows he will harvest what he plants. Leadership-a valuable trait indeed!
An instructor that has energy in his presentation, shares short stories that relate to the given lesson, and keeps the students involved in the course of instruction.
I'm a big fan of getting to know my students so that I can best help them learn and juggle their outside commitments with their school commitments. I have also found that students can't learn when they feel disrespected or intimidated. Having a sense of humor coupled with respect mean that I rarely have issues with student behavior. Any issues I do have seem to come only from those students who are known school-wide as problems. Normally, though, the "problems" don't give me any issues in class. I make it clear that I am in charge, but I am there to help them succeed. It is all about attitude.
I agree with Julie! I too learned much. I just finished teaching my first 2 classes. After spending 20 hrs a week for 8 and 9 months it's easy to get involved in your students lives and emotions. I think I can honestly say I was a Guide 98% of the time and when I did get too "buddy buddy" it didn't work. I see in retrospect that when that happened I didn't focus on what I needed to do in terms of getting things done and instead took into account what they wanted.
It is difficult at times not to be a "buddy" with the students when you see them so often and they share their day, family life, etc. However, there is that line of being friendly but also being a mentor in order to facilitate learning. So I just listen to them and do not offer anything person so as to not get buddy-buddy. I believe my students do respect me in the sense that I project friendliness, professionalism, organization and quick to help when needed. And above all, praise them in any positive thing they do, even if it's improving by one point, being to class on time all week, etc.
I see myself as the guide, the buddy and the controller, all three. Traits I demonstrate as a guide that are important are my rapport with students, my organization and my enthusiasm. As the buddy students know I am interested in their lives, their schoolwork load and their careers. As controller I always write the objectives on the board, I always make sure they know the grading system and how to track their own grade.
I would have to agree with you. It is amazing how much rapport you can have with a classroom full of students if you are seen as being respectful of them. I try to establish a culture of respect in my classes from day one. Also, students need to feel that they are welcome in the class and that they can feel safe to express themselves without fear of ridicule. Teaching adults is much easier if you can reinforce their self-esteem. They will be much more willing to participate if they are not worried about being humiliated.
It has been my observation that the dynamic of each class and student will be different in general and that it can change day to day and even minute to minute.
It is my belief that based on this a good instructor must be observant to detect these changes and would need to be able to blend the guide, controller and buddy styles to suit the situation at any one time.
The only style that should be excluded is the appathete as he is only there for the paycheck and cares nothing for the class and what they need.
As I reviewed the material I noted that I tended in the past to run toward the controller but as I have been teaching have been moving more to the guide. I have seen many advantages to the guide and the students are responding well. I did not have a name to put on it until now.
