Using Standards as Guidelines
Why is it important to use your field standards as guidelines when selecting course content?
Students need to be able to meet minimum industry standards to reach any level of success. I constantly remind them the more they can exceed the standards the easier success will come.
We need to use these standards as guidelines since it serves to reflect the industry-modeled standards that we expect the students to abide by once they are in the field.
Has to match up with what is used in real life
It is important to use your field standards as a guideline for selecting course content because you must ensure that you are meeting the requirements of the institution. You must also ensure that you are teaching your students the appropriate content for their chosen fields of study.
It is important to use field standards as guidelines when selecting course content, since it is important to know what the takeaways of the course should be for the student. The instructor should teach material that is useful for the student in practice and guidelines are a good way of laying out lessons plans.
It is important, because it allows student to see the requirements to meet and maintain certifications. It also, allows student see issues involving liability and legal issues when you fail to comply with these standards of the industry.
It's also gives credibility to your school and their reputation. I want to be part of a top-notch organization so it is in my best interests to keep up-to-date on what I'm teaching.
Tralanda,
What is the desired industry of your students?
Tremayne Simpson
Jacqueline,
I agree. I'm sure that your students are confident in knowing that they will arrive into the career world with practical knowledge and an understanding of industry standards and guidelines.
Tremayne Simpson
Joyce,
Also, it provides the students with confidence in knowing that there course is directly related to industry standards and not just, impractical theories.
Tremayne Simpson
This keeps you on track and helps you to remember to teach to the course content.
In our profession, students must sit for national boards, as well as, clinical boards in order to be licensed to work in their field. Standards are extremely important as students need to be able to execute their duties to an acceptable "standard of care". In addition, students need lessons that are following current standards if they are to be able to keep up with changes in our field. If the students are not taught utilizing these standards they may not be able to pass their board exams and in addition, may not be able to practice at an acceptable level of care for their patients.
You are able to choose the correct material for the students to acquire the knowledge they need and for the instructor's use to keep them on track of the standards.
I have seen time and again the need for currency and content timely. Many of us have been in classes where the instructor was behind the times and we hung our head as we endured poor preparation on the part of the instructor. I try to remember this when I am looking at standards and when to update.
Field standards are important because, in the veterinary field, we need to turn out well-rounded entry level technicians who can perform a variety of entry-level tasks. We also use the Veterinary Technician National Exam to guide us in choosing materials and information to educate our students on in addition to teaching our students entry-level hands on skills.
It is important to use field standards as guidelines as information and theory change on a regular basis. What may have been the normal procedures for an industry could become streamlined or improved over time and new theory can become disproven as an optimal way of doing things. By using them as guidelines the instructor can make accurate judgments on what tried and true methods to teach and only touch base on theory that may not yet be proven.
As technology changes the way things are done everywhere, it's important for instructors to stay up-to-date with what's happening in practice. This can be difficult since technology changes constantly, requiring programs to make costly updates. In the meantime, instructors are tasked with keeping course content timely. A tricky dilemma!
In any field, standards are like a road map. They help instructors steer the course in the right direction, and students stay on the right track!
In any field there is more to learn then there is time to teach. So if learning is like trying to drink from a fire hose then what is teaching? Somehow the reservoir, the Niagara Falls of knowledge has to be winnowed, focused, and directed. Standards are the signposts that guide teachers and students to the destination. Without standards teachers and students can become overwhelmed and or not teach or learn what they need.
