The goal of educating my students is to teach them specific technical skills that are applicable in their chosen field. Teaching the soft skills are sometimes equally important, especially if my students are going into field service where the customer interface is a large part of their responsibility on a daily basis. One company that my Career College has an excellent relationship with has stated on numerous occasions that they value well rounded prospective employees with more emphasis on their soft skills than their technical skills. Their philosophy is that it is easier to train someone in the technical domain than it is for them to train them in the soft skills domain. This message resonates loud and clear with my colleagues and me and as a result, we have successfully placed many students in this company.
Erica,
A great job that one has been thoroughly prepared for is a great way to change a life, for sure! If we can convey a desire for continuous or life-long learning, we will have helped them be successful in all aspects of their lives, both personal and professional.
Barry Westling
Jeanette,
Yes, no student should move on without gaining the requisite skills and knowledge required for their program. I also believe we can impart important soft skills that will also benefit the graduate in their work setting (such as punctuality, grooming, language, courtesy, etc.).
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is to prepare them for the career they want to obtain. Educating is more than delivering information, it is working towards the goal of helping the students to change their lives through education.
The goal is for my students to leave my class with more knowledge and understanding of their future career than when they came.
Elizabeth,
Great summary! There's so much in our "hoped for goals and achievement" we want for our students. Skills and knowledge are among them. And soft skills are just as important, although many times not much time is allocated for instruction and practice. Utimately, getting students to "think on their feet" would be commendable, and can only come with tyraining and real world experience.
Barry Westling
I think that one of the goals of educating students is to teach them critical thinking skills; skills that they can take with them after they leave not just my classroom but all other classrooms; skills that they can use throughout their lives; and skills that will improve their quality of life. Critical thinking skills include the following abilities: (1) the ability to know where to find information on any topic or question; (2) the ability to read, understand, and interpret the information; (3) the ability to read, understand, and interpret all sides of an issue; (4) the ability to apply the information to one's own life; (5) the ability to assess or evaluate information in order to develop not just an opinion, but a well-informed opinion about a topic or question of interest. A well-informed opinion is an opinion that can be supported with empirical data. Even if the data support multiple sides of an issue, a well-informed opinion would demonstrate one's ability to evaluate/assess the information by choosing one side of the issue and being able to support his/her side with empirical data.
Another important goal of educating students is to teach them soft skills or good interpersonal skills, like having a positive attitude, having good eye contact, showing up and being on time, listening and hearing what others say before responding,and showing respect for others, etc.
Tena,
That about covers everything. We want our students to have successful careers and satisfying jobs. We can train, and we can inspire. Both assist achieving that goal.
Barry Westling
Zachary,
All roads ultimately lead to work, and when I can prepare students for a successful job or career opportunity, that'll have contributed much towards meeting the students personal and academic goals.
Barry Westling
Educating students and seeing that ahha…….moment is rewarding as an instructor. I would truly hve to state that the goal of educating students would be to produce effective training to prepare them for the work place, to think outside the box, become more effective in their critical thinking, be quick thinkers, promote self-confidence, and have a clear understanding of the course
I feel educating is the process of equipping students with the knowledge and skill that they need for a specicific topic.
Kelsey,
Good. For me, I have goals I want my students to achieve. Besides the knowledge and practical skill, I also want them to be able to think independently, and act professionally in the work setting. Our classes can provide a laboratory for training professional workers in the soft skills that will get them jobs, and help them keep them.
Barry Westling
To me, the goal of educating students is to help them learn something new that will help them achieve their goals.
Scott,
I believe if we meet the individual course objectives (and program and institutional objectives), we will have prepared our students with the skills, knowlege and professional behavior that will be consistent with successful job and career as well an improved personal life for the student anf their faily or loved ones.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is to provide them with a skill set that gives them an opportunity to better their lives. Education gives students options in not only in the world, but also in their view of the world.
Tiwauna,
These are great attributes that students will hopefully attain. Beyond skills, knowledge, and performance, getting students to the point where the can think critically, on their own, beyond what we may have been able to present in class is an ability that, if possessed, can help them not only in their job, but also in their personal and private lives.
Barry Westling
The goal of educating students is to enhance and introduce skills that will allow them to be a great asset within their field of choice. They will have confidence, knowledge, drive, and success.
David ,
Great! Lifelong learning, or at least the inspiration to be continuously active with staying involved with current trends and practices is the best advice and training we can give our students, as learning doesn't stop in the classroom or lab. It's the ongoing learning students receeive as graduates that will help to keep them current and proficient long after they finish school.
Barry Westling
In my case, I want my students to be skilled and confident entry-level into their field of paramedics. I want them to realize that they must be life-long learners to be able to be the best care-giver. And I expect them to always be a patient advocate in every situation.
Joel,
Great summary of the basic goals we can all aspire to impart!
Barry Westling
