faculty involvement
It really helps to be a "content expert" when you have day-to-day experience you can share with your students. sharing mistakes made on the job as well as successes lets them know they will learn even more when they actually get into the workplace.
I aggree withe the staement that an instructor must have years of experience so they can share real life experiences with our students.This also helps to buid a better bond with your students .
I agree with you Charlie. A familiar face in some departments will help the students to go forward and ask questions for guidance in areas they need help in.
Being a "content expert" is a crucial part of the learning experience. A good point that was addressed was sharing successes on the job as well as mistakes. Both should be utilize so the students know what to look out for. Although making mistakes is also part of the learning experience.
Thomas--
Excellent practice. I think it is enjoyable for both the student and the faculty to interact this way and builds a more interactive classroom.
Susan
I agree that one of the best ways for instructors to build relationships with the stude
nts is to have some contact outside the classroom. We encourage all of our instructors to attend student fuctions so they can socialize and not be managing the student. This breaks down certain barriers that are created in the classroom between the instructor and the student.
Excellent point about faculty being available outside the classroom to interact in a less formal way. You are absolutely correct that attending student activities reinforces that the faculty are engaged and committed to the students.
Susan
I believe that faculty needs to be involved inside the classroom as well as the outside. Students need to see their instructors as human.
Attending students group activities as well as just hanging out in the student lounge allows them to relate to their instructor.
very important letting students know you are not so different
Juan--
As you point out, there is a balance. Faculty need to in involved, but they can't be the only option. Providing opportunities for students to help each other is very important and adds another layer of support.
Susan
I think that as much as faculty can get involved,the students themselves should motivate each other. We tend to let the students work in groups and in most cases I think that this helps when the facutly regardless of who it is gets involved when their might be an issue. The students in the group can have information about what may be going on. I am all for respecting ones privacy, but it has happened a few times when I Yell out " Does anyone know why Johnny isnt here"? When it is something of concern, the faculty that I get involved (student services,housing, financial aid) will be better prepared. Im all for "content expert" in ones field, but understanding the student is something that can be difficult sometimes.
Charlie--
Excellent point. Everyone needs someone to encourage them. Students, ideally, connect to one or more people at the institution--sometimes it's an instructor they had prior that they continue to go back to for advice, etc.
Susan
Faculty involvement is crucial to the continued efforts that the student is making. It is a reinforcement for the student...a person or persons to turn to for guidance and support. It not only should be in orientation, but throughout the entire program. I've seen students make it to the last 3 week module and drop out because there was no one there to encourage them to complete the program. Sometimes their outside life influences them, and sometimes it is just a feeling of nobody cares any more.
Agreed,
I believe that an instructor must have some real world experience in the subject being taught. It adds credibility to the lesson and helps the learner understand some of the situations they will encounter in their jobs.
