Professionalism points
Can you explain the use of professional points more?
Cathleen,
I agree. Consistency without regard for favoritism or exception has to be the rule. When students see rules enforces evenly across the board, they will tend to recognize no one is being singled out or exempt from the rules. Setting this tone makes for a more likely successful transition from student to worker as well.
Barry Westling
I have and will forever be in favor of grading soft skills. Coworkers become quickly discouraged and restenful of the peer who blatantly disrepects the professional environment. This is no less true in the classroom where compliant students will feel a disparity exits if the behavior is perceived as tolerated by the instructor.
Lisa,
Your post underscores the importance of readiness for the work setting on behavior and professionalism beyond the categories of skill and knowledge. These can be just as important as the actual tasks. Good employees are able to meet all course objectives and demonstrate the thinking skills and appropriate behavior required for successful employment.
Barry Westling
Yes, we do this too at our school. When in the introductory classes, the students' professionalism points are more focused on attendance and uniform. In the more advanced classes where they are to present techniques already learned they are graded on the execution of the technique as well as attendance and uniform. This new way of giving the participation points is not popular with the students at first as they feel more pressure to perform but near the end they realize that they are more focused not only on my demo but also on perfecting technique.
Lynette,
Sure, we want to help them be successful, and professional development appears to be a good way to stress that importance without distracting them from their studies.
Barry Westling
This is so important to remember. As educators, we have to be very careful not to allow our biases to affect our relationships with students. For example, I've had students who used profanity or colloquial/nonstandard English in the classroom, but I suspect that this is what they heard when growing up - that was their "normal", and they lack a sense of what language is appropriate in what situation. It's my job to be the role model for them in a kind and non-confrontational way to help them succeed.
Rose,
Students in these kinds of programs have to understand they're voluntarily agreed to the "beyond normal" types of behavior, dress, grooming, and professionalism required. And it's best they understand that from the get go.
Barry Westling
I agree with this entirely. It helps to establish the foundation for the field the student is going into. For my field, we are working with patients, doctors, nurses and surgical technologist. I think being prepared and "well put together" is key when dealing with the quality of the patients life.
Dave,
Sad but true point. I think one key is if an instructor can convey they care, are concerned about student success, students will begin to trust and respect their instructors intentions. So although little consequence may be possible for proffessional infractions, because the student respects their instructor, the tendancy will be to want to please. Unfortunately this won't be applicable for all students all the time. A good guest speaker from an employer who might hire graduates, and who speaks about the importance of soft skills, can sometimes make a diiference. In the end, it has to be a choice the student makes on their own.
Barry Westling
My institution also has professionalism points for dress, language etc. Most students, like Mr. Barry Westling’s do think it’s a good idea. However our institution doesn’t have any repercussions for students that are consistently running against the regulations. The writing up of infractions, referring students to education managers, instructors having a one on one with the student and school councilor is time consuming and considered by most instructors, a waste of time. Can we do in a few weeks what their parents haven’t done in twenty years?
Walt,
Sounds like you you have a good pulse on your classes and they understand your expectations, and the consequences for failure to meet them.
Barry Westling
I am an advocate of professionalism points and in my Career College, they can be worth up to 10 percent of the final course grade. Deducting professionalism points from a student sends a clear message that they need to modify their behavior or risk additional points being deducted. When I see their behavior change in a positive way, I often restore some of the points I deducted. This provides incentive for my students to change their behavior permanently. When I deduct and restore professionalism points, I always tell the student privately so they know what is going on at all times. My students really appreciate that professionalism points can be restored for appropriate behavior.
Jenny,
It's unfortunate that this category of grading is needed, but these days, more students come from backgrounds where common courtesy, language, demeanor, dress and grooming, and good hygiene are not present in the home environment.
Barry Westling
I do include professionalism points in the classroom. It includes all the expected categories that a student could expect to be evaluated on n the workplace. I also include the heading of positive regard. This was included in my studies of Massage Therapy, and I have never forgotten it. It is simply directing the demonstration of regard and consideration towards others at all times. No exceptions acceptable. It maintains a positive classroom environment and really eliminates any time I have to devote to managing negative classroom experiences or demonstrations of disrespect.
Patricia,
Many institutions prohibit anything but sterile, objective-based gradeing (quiz, test, project, etc). Even if grading is not available, it can still be taught and reinforced in the classroom. As you say, it's very important. If it is available to assign some points, it's also important to be fair and consistent with all. This can be difficult when you have good students who always do their work and comply with all the rules - except this time.
Barry Westling
Professionalism, courtesy and following expected behavior guidelines is a very important aspect of employment and should be taught and evaluated in the college course setting. People that are rude, late, inconsiderate or inappropriate in use of cell phones and language are not going to be valuable employees. In this job market it is important for instructors to groom their students to understand the expectations of employers and the importance of following the rules. I am sure that we have all had experiences with service personnel that are not up to our expectations and leave a bad impression of that establishment. Although hard to grade, the professionalism aspect of the student should be evaluated and included in the total score.
Natalie,
In my institution, we have a category called professional development that's worth up to 10% of a students grade. Students earn points for attendance and punctuality, dress and grooming, and professional language and demeanor. Arriving late, not having assigned homework, uniform infractions, or use of profanity are common examples a student loses points. The principle is guide by the soft skills expected by most employers in the work setting. So beside content derived solely from tests, quizzes, projects, etc., a small amount is also attributed to the professional development of the student. It has it's pros and cons, but our institution requires it so I make the best of it. And in truth, most students recognize the value of it and are neutrally receptive of it's use.
Barry Westling
