Renee,
Keeping up is essential if you are going to have any creditability with your students. They need to know that they are learning from someone that is current in his or her field as well as understands what the key content is that they need to learn for career success. Good point, thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new instructor, I think that keeping up with relavant changes in the industry is very important. This helps the students, but the instructor as well. The instructor is learning and this is showing that he is very interested in his field.
Debra,
This is a very logical and wise way to approach sessions like this. The results I am sure give the students insight into the topic in a way that is informative and supportive to their learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional professionalism, to me, means to be that person that I would view as professional. For example, if I have to discuss a topic that might be difficult to talk about or approach I try to imagine what I would expect from a "professional" and try to emulate that behavior.
Ismail,
Great to hear about your professional development. I wish you continued success as you help shape the careers of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I learned more from you my friends as far as I learned from the training.
Thanks to all of you.
Dr. Dwedar
a new instructor
Tracy,
Are there other ways that instructors can demonstrate their professionalism. If so can you share some of them with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Christina,
Sounds like you have been able to establish yourself as the learning leader. Through your experience and dedication to teaching you are impacting the lives of your students and helping them to move forward in their career development. Keep up this most worth effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students have to see that you are knowledgeable in your chosen field. As a nursing instructor both as a theory instructor and clinical instructor, they see that I can do both and that I do know what I am talking about, and I know how to put the theory into practice. It also shows the students how to put theory into practice. I am new at teaching and the students know this, so a few have tried to throw some curve balls, however they have seen that I mean what I say, and within a couple of classes they stopped and realized they were there to learn
David,
Good list for instructors to consider as they prepare for and interact with students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructional professsionalism encompasses many facets. The demeanor, the expectations, the langugage, the timeliness, accountability, consistency, the attire, the honesty, and preparedness are all contributing factors to an instructors professionalism.
Ronald,
This simple yet very important actions really set the tone for the class and help the students to feel welcome as well as comfortable with how the course will unfold for them. Consistency is a powerful engagement tool that help students to see that they are in good hands with their learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Start and end each class the same way and organize your week around specific activities
I also like to greet them at the door with a simple hello as they come into class. Plus learning their names will also earn their trust.
John,
Very good question because the building of trust starts the very first time the class meets. Trust is based upon two way respect as well as the students being able to depend on what the instructor says and does. Consistency is a key element of earning student trust. Do what you say and do it when you say you will do it goes a long way in earning student trust.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
John,
I think this is an important part of instructional professionalism as well. I also think the way instructors dress, the language they use and how they conduct themselves is important to the image they project to their students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
What is the best way that you gain trust with your students?
I personally feel that instructional professionalism is shown through knowledge of the material. Knowing the answer or at least having a good answer to every conceivable question posed tends show the students you are versed and care deeply about the material. Instructors who don't know everything they can about the subject they are teaching about are doing their students a disservice.
Sarah,
Thank you for the explanation of how you approach your instructional planning as well as your definition of instructional professionalism. This is how active learning should be offered because it places the ownership of learning on students and asks that they become a part of their destiny.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I might need to preface my answer with my subject matter: Verbal Communication. When I hear the words “Instructional Professionalism†I equate the phrase with a method of teaching that illicit both learning in the student as well as the teacher. If I am not learning from my students at the same time as I am teaching then no instruction has been truly grasped and understood by everyone. I call it “On your Toes†teaching or “In the moment†teaching.
Here is how it works: I develop a course curriculum that engages self discovery in its delivery. Plan A is the optimum setting, although I do have a Plan B and sometimes a C. I do not normally need to use them but I have always found that a fail-safe is needed and usually is determined by class size, but I digress. As I am teaching the material and engaging the students, I am assessing their abilities “in the moment.†This happens as a “whole group inclusion†and a “one on one level.†Each class has the same information that they need to have and it is the students that drive the class and at times can alter the method of delivery. I have both an internal and external clock. The external clock = real time + instruction. Internal clock=engagement + assessment + bending real time. If my students are engaged from beginning to end I will know because time ceases to exist. Instructional Professionalism is a chance to move everyone on the educational continuum.
