student attitude
One of the most important points of assuring student success in their field of study is, their maintaing a very professional attitude at all times. I've interviewed many of our extern sites, and all have expressed the importance of professional attitude in the work place. This point should be emphasized in all classes.
Thanks for your insight, Dr. Meers. I will use your suggestions to ascertain information from culinary instructors and begin to bridge the gap. Again, my appreciation to you!
Hi Bob,
You raise a number of very good questions in relation to working with challenging students. I don't take lightly the dismissal of a student from class. This occurs rarely and only after much effort to salvage the student. On the other hand I have the administrative support to do so if I have to.
As to creating a connection between the general education courses and their culinary careers that is a challenge that is not easy to meet. Besides the things you have already tried I would suggest that you talk with the culinary arts instructors and see if you and they can develop a bridge of activities between their courses and yours. If you can get them to refer to what you are doing in your class and to talk about the value of your courses in their careers this make help the students to see the value of the courses. Joint assignments might be another way to help the students to see the connection. As you know much of the success in the food service field is based upon psychology. The eye,tongue and mind has to all be on the same page if the person is going to respond positively to a dish, etc.
These are the types of connections that I think might make your effort to help the students to see the value of your courses at a higher level.
Gary
When removing the student from class is not an option, Gary, how can we engage the administration to be more sensitive to the instructor's dilemma in situations like this? The proprietary schools have as their agenda, (and rightly so as a business model) to include all who have applied, been accepted and are funded to attend. As we attempt to reach out to each student, we find those who are not engaged in the particular class we are instructing. I am a general education instructor in a college that trains chefs. The student who fails to see the relevance in studying English or Psychology as a means of facilitating his/her growth in the industry is a particular challenge. Those students who don't want to accept that the English or Psychology curriculum can be helpful in a culinary career are short-sighted; however, they fail to be self-motivated and are extremely difficult to reach in connecting to the academic area being studied when "cooking" is on their mind 24/7. We do attempt to motivate and I take the challenge very seriously. I agree that making an example out of one student's negativity leading to expulsion from class is an effective message to send; however, we have strict limitations on such classroom instructional methodology that wouldn't include this as an outcome. We then must work within the inevitability of a student who wishes to stay not only disengaged but in many cases defensive of any instructional activity that we continue to attempt to provide - thus an ongoing challenge as this behavior tends to drag down the morale of those students who are invested in the class.
I'm glad I read this. I am a new instructor and still struggle with being "the bad guy." In a perfect world, all adult learners respect the classroom setting and trust that the instructor has a good intention for teaching what/how she does. We know that's not always the case. It is helpful to understand that individual attention may be enough in some cases, and not in others.
Student attitude will determine how they will tackle challenges and issues they will encounter as they advance in their career. It will be the foundation of their perseverance, tolerance and ability to excel in any given situation.
I agree that professional student attitude is important. They need to be motivated to act in a professional way at all times, whether in the classroom, at an interview, or in the workplace. This type of attitude makes for a well-working classroom and lab envrinoment.
I agree Luis, one thing that does not seem to be mentioned in any instructor's learning classes is the fact that the instructor has to be able to read different student's personalities (regardless of where they come from or what previous learning they have accomplished) and try to adjust your model of professionalism into something that the indvidual can relate to.
I think that us as intructors should be able to tell the students attitude during class and according to their background aproach them and be able to advise them in a very kind manner how to act professional in and out of the office setting and make them understand that the way they act in and out of the office reflects the way they perform their duties
Nowadays, students have such varying education, ethnicity, and personal beliefs that transitioning into the work force maybe a little daunting. At least that was what some of the students expressed to me. So I have to agree that professionalism should be conveyed in the classroom; along with personal integrity, accountability, and respect. And who better to get this message across to the students than their instructor(s).
we have to modify the students attitudes towards being more open and what it means to be a professional and how their attitude can make or break them getting hired in the field.
Hi Dotti,
Negative attitudes in a select number of students can really bring a cloud over the class that is for sure. A couple of strategies I use is first I pull the students aside individually and talk with them about how I can better meet their learning needs and explain why I have to cover the material in the way that I do. I look for their response to help me understand where they are coming from. In a number of cases the individual attention is enough for them to settle into the class. They see you as understanding their situation and like the fact that you are trying to reach them.
Another approach is to use them as assistants in the class. I have them direct small group discussions, lead case studies, etc. This gives them recognition and helps remove the negative attitude. If all else fails I simple talk with them about removing them from the class. I explain that I cannot have them spoiling the class for others who have paid to be in the class just like them. This last resort approach will work with many students. For others that continue to display the negative attitude I will remove them. This really gets the attention of the other students. I don't like to use the last option but I will and the students know it. I haven't had to remove a student for over three years but the rumor mill keeps the legend alive and that is fine with me. The threat is greater than the implementation. I am training individuals to be professionals and I expect them to conduct themselves as such if they don't then they should not be in the field. Message sent message received.
If you have any other questions on this let me know.
Gary
Dr Meers
Do you have any advice as far as controlling negative student attitudes. For example sometimes I have to cover very difficult material that needs a lot of attention and interaction, there are some students who become overwhelmed and frustrated very easily and tend to give me irritated looks and look at the clock frequently. The majority of the class becomes engrossed into the lecture and interact appropriately. The few frustrated individuals seem to bring a negative vibe into the room, I try to acknowledge their frustration and repeat content for them but they continue their behavior. How do I proffesionally manage these students. What can I say after acknowledging their frustration so that they do not put the remaining class in a negative environment?
Thanks
Hi Audia,
Sometimes students miss that fact that you are modeling professional behavior through all that you do. When someone from the outside comes in and talks to the group and mentions professionalism the lights come on and the students see how important being a professional really is, plus that you have been modeling this behavior all along.
Gary
Professionalism is of the utmost importance and it is a challenge to present the necessity of a professional attitude to the students. Eventhough I pride myself on a professional attitude (ie. dress, presentation, language, knowledge and skill) it seems to really bring the picture into color when I utilize professionals from the field as guest speakers or take the students out to the work sites as field trips so that they can actually see how it all comes together. Professionals from the field seem to impress the need for professionalism on the students.
Hi Donald,
Extremely important to career success is the point you are making. They have to be professional in their conduct, approach and skill. If not success will not be theirs. You are right about needing to work on this at all points of a student's training program.
Gary
