I'm an instructor teaching students the skill of welding. When I came into this position I set a goal to educate my students so that when they graduate from our training school they have the skills to become a great welder along with great soft skills (being on time-reliability, good hard work ethic and respectful towards other employees). I think that in a skills trade environment these should be important skills that they take with them. In order to do that I as an instructor need to have these as some of my goals when educating.
Syed,
Right. And adding soft skills can help students keep their jobs once they obtain employment in their new careers.
Barry Westling
Richard,
We truly can only provide the door for potential opportunity, through our instructional lessons. It's up to the student tomake something of it.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is giving them the tools to succeed out in the workplace and in life. College education provides a solid foundation for which levels of success can be built on. Having a solid fountation before the actual on the job training proceeds will help with the smoother transition from student to employee.
Pushing your students to do a new learned skill in different applications. having them understand why and why not this new skill works.
The goal of educating students should be to not only impart academic knowledge of the subject being taught, but also prepare them for the real world experience because that is where they will face the true test of what they have learned in class.
Andrea,
Yes, and imparting the attributes of good work ethic will assist the graduate in their career for many years ahead.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is to help them gain a set of skills (technical and/or soft) that they understand and can successfully apply to their lives, whether in everyday situations or in their chosen career field.
Bonnie,
Teaching students to be lifelong learners is a wonderful expression and sentiment that conveys the instructor truly cares for the success of their students. This attribute "feeds a man for a lifetime" as the adage goes.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is to facilitate the expansion of their knowledge base in their chosen program. Emphasis should be placed on encouraging lifelong learning. One way I do this is by modeling this behavior. I talk about the courses I have taken recently and explain that it is necessary for renewal of my professional licenses, but more importantly it keeps me informed of current practices/techniques in the field.
Avis,
I like to word assessment rather than testing. Assessment implies a measure against some standard, where test implies more rigid guidelines. Perhaps semanatics, but students will respond more favorably when I say assessment than when I say test.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students should be to have tangible proof that the students have retained the material that has been taught in the class. One sure way for this is to provide some form of assessment that will gauge the level of mastery.
Jamie,
Yes, job ready, life ready - that would be ideal.
Barry Westling
I feel that our main goal in educating students, is to provide them with the knowledge to be successful assets to society. It is our job to make sure they are knowledgeable in the fields we are training them for. They need to be able to not only perform but be professional.
Jonathon,
I agree, and add that soft skills are often as important as the technical skills. Especially true with regards to employer expectations.
Barry Westling
The goal is to help the students be successful in their future career by helping them develop problem solving, knowledge in their field of study, interacting with customers and employees, and most importantly self confidence.
James,
I think an impartation of approaches to problem solving can help students immensely, along with theory and practice of the subject matter.
Barry Westling
A great teacher should love educating students. There is something extremely gratifying about imparting information to your students and working with them to ensure they understand, not only concepts, but practical applications as well. Teachers also learn a great deal about themselves through teaching.
Kimberly,
Yes, and of course, the skills, knowledge, and practical application that an employer will expect from the graduate. But problem solving is essential for successful careers.
Barry Westling
Jacob ,
Preparing for a career usually involves more than just the technical aspects, it also involves important soft skills that will be needed in the work setting.
Barry Westling
