Monitoring!
why is monitoring is so important?
Todd,
You state something very important here. We need to be sure that our students know why we have have the policies we have and how those policies benefit them in the long run. Most of the time, students are okay with our "rules" if they no the "why."
That's a great point in pointing out that instructtors are held to the same standards as students, or in our case, a significantly higher standard. I remind my students that my employer has many expectations of me, including following rules, a dress code, and certain behaviors that are simply unacceptable in our workplace. I then remind the students, most of whom have part time work, how their employers have expectations along the same lines, and it makes it a little easier to show them that while we do have to enforce the rules, that the rules exist to better prepare them for their future work environment and the we are making them "more employable". Sometimes a simple reminder about following the rules or dress code, when presented correctly, can show the student that we care about their future.
We are required to reveiw with students our Standard Operating Procedures at the beginning of every new course. My approch is to relate each regulation to real life situations students might face in the field or in the school. I encourage students to monitor themselves regarding the use of profanity, personal apperance, attendance, preparidness, etc. I also remind them instructors are held to the same standard as students and we are not singleing them out for disciplinary action if they fail to comply. Think before you speak, be awair of your environment and act in a professional manner and you will succed is my message to students.
Good question, John.
I always try to present rules from the perspective of how they actually benefit the student. (If they don't, they are not good rules.) Even regulatory requirements, like SAP rules, are set up to benefit th student.
How can you use monitoring for complying with strict rules and not turn off your students thinking your more of a cop than an instructor?
Huong,
Many of our students need significant levels of support to be successful. Monitoring their progress allows us to provide the proactive support and advising they need.
Our students are not less capable than other students, but many have been out of school for a while or have not done well previously and the extra support we give them help them to get where they need to go.
