Student focus
I think as an instructor we have the ability to steer student commitment to a great extent. Relating the course material to the end result which is to become proficient in a task out in the field is major. In addition I believe we have the responsibility of working with students to show them that they can achieve this goal, and prove to them that they have the ability to do so.
AS already covered we can and do shape our students in many ways. Keeping them steering in a positive and progressive direction is imninate.
Do you have a regular cycle for curriculum revision? How often do you revise your course? Is there a system to measure the impact of changes in one course on other related or sequential courses?
I think curriculums should be revamped as often as needed. we are in an ever changing world. and the content we learn will never be the same. things will change with each generation.
Don, you are right. We, as instructors are given a gift to help these people achieve a dream. We must use this to build self esteem in the student to get them to believe that all is possible.
Teaching each course as a stand alone course will only frustrate the students. We need to make a strong effort to tie previous material taught in other courses to the current class this will help to let the student recognize the sucess they have had and what they already have learned. This requires a good undertanding of what has taught in prerequisite courses.
The challenge I have is making sure that I can keep on top of the information to help them since the curriculum never seems to improve. The students who are here to really learn get frustrated and the ones who are still "seeking their position in life" don't much care. Sometimes following our curriculum is like driving behind a drunk driver......they are moving down the highway, but the swerving and weaving always keeps you ready for a major crash somewhere along the line.
I agree Don. Helping a student achieve that goal of being successful in a class that they cannot in their current state, see value is a challenge. We need to keep showing each course and topic as a piece of a whole tech-professional, not just the "cool" parts.
