Accountability
I am a firm believer that when we hold our students accountable they are more receptive to their goals they have set for themselves because they know we have also set high goals for their success.
Jennifer,
It is noce when that happens. What are some strategies you use to teach accountability?
Jeffrey Schillinger
It is always refreshing to have the student be accountable for their actions as opposed to arguing about their grade.
On my first encounter with the student, i attempt to establish a trusting relationship with the student and then find out what made them sign up for the program. Their personal reason for enrolling in school with my support encourages them to remain in the program. I also constantly remind them that the owner controls the destination. If they own their education, then they will be able to control their own success or failure and not let anyone discourage them on their journey to success.
Bola,
Thanks for this post. Many students come to us without having been held accountable for much. What are some specific things you do to get students to be "owners" rather than "renters" of their education?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Accountability is crucial for student's success. Discussion on the first meeting with the student is a great time to establish goals, means of achieving the goals, setting expectations and letting the student understand that they will be held accountable for this. Students are usually receptive to this once it has been discussed with them and nutured.
Accountability helps student achieve their goals. I have noticed that some students come to class on the first day with the expectation that it the instructor's responsibility to make sure that they pass the course. On the very first day of class, i make a point of letting them understand that it is a shared responsibility and we will both hold each other accountable for the success of the course. Since i started doing this, i have found out that the students responds better, more attentive, participates more in class, do not miss class unless they absolutely have to, do not leave class early and they turn in all of their assignments timely as expected.
Setting high standards is a given in the culinary field. No one who settles for less should call themselves a chef and should not teach. However, students go to school to learn. They do not have the skill set yet to achieve the high standards set so it is tantamount that the instructor does everything possible to help them achieve this. The bar is set high to compete in the world market yet time and patience must be given to help students achieve this. Constant encouragement and positive reinforcement and hands on training will get the job done. After a 6 week class, 5 hours a day, 5 days per week, the students walk out of my class knowing they have learned and raised themselves to a higher standard that they might have thought unobtainable.I encourage them on day 28 to think back to day one, reflect and think opf where they are now. It is awesome,it is the basis of teaching in my world and the reason I teach after 35 years front line. Thank you. G
Dale,
We never want to pass a student who has not mastered the objectives, but we should not be proud of the fact that we have a lot of failures. We are generally not in the "weed out" business. It sounds like some of your peers may need to take a look at the college's mission.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I work with instructors who are proud of how hard their courses are. Of course they don't help or encourage either. I always say, "If your students are failing, you are the one who has failed"
Stacey,
In my experience, it is unusual for a "no second chances" policy to be effective. I hope it works for you.
Jeffrey Schillinger
If students are held accountable at the beginning of any course they enroll into then there will be no reasons for second chances, but students as well as instructors should still have high standards and goals, since they do go hand and hand with each other.
Stacey,
Accountability is often mentions in posts to this discussion forum. Some folks feel that means they have to have very high standards and should offer few seconde chances. How do you feel?
Jeffrey Schillinger
