Yes. Patience is very important. I contemplated something else earlier today that I find important too: failure. Have you noticed that many young people expect to succeed, even when they haven't worked for it? And often when they do not succeed, they react as if the world has come to an end? I agree with Leo Buscaglia, the tireless advocate of the power of love, who stated, " “We seem to gain wisdom more readily through our failures than through our successes. We always think of failure as the antithesis of success, but it isn't. Success often lies just the other side of failure.†I am not suggesting educators encourage students to fail. I am suggesting we help them learn from their imperfections. After all, the ability to get back up after being knocked down is a better character builder than always remaining upright! At least that's how I see it.
Hi Aimee,
Well said. The approach you laid out in your comments needs to be foundation from which we instructors operate. Honesty, consistency, and professionalism all have to be a part of who we are as instructors and representatives of our field.
Gary
By informing them of real life experiences that you have faced in the field. Also, by answering any questions or concerns that they may have. Also, by being someone that they can look up to as a role model.
I agree that we need to lead by example. I also think that modeling patience is very important because it is a needed skill that the students will need to untilize in the workplace. Displaying patience with our students would be beneficial to them.
For me, the best approach to modeling behaviors for any career is to be genuine. It's that simple. I often wonder why it's so difficult for folks to just be honest. And being honest with yourself is a good place to start. In addition, one's behavior must in line with one's words. Otherwise, trust is broken and respect goes down the drain.
Hi Joanna,
The way you work with adult learners is key. I support your comment about making sure to use their life experiences and let them know they are bringing something to the class. This really helps with their self confidence and class success.
Thanks for sharing these ideas with us.
Gary
Example is the most important key in modeling behaviors required in the field. Starting and ending class on time; being prepared for class before it starts (I try to be in the classroom at least 15-30 mins early to set up), having the correct type of appearance, and being organized are a few of the ways in which I believe you can model behaviors which should help learners to succeed. Another key is to treat them like the adults they are, and not like they are in grade school.
Hi Diane,
So true. Being a role model and being available are key indicators of an instructor that is dedicated to his/her profession and cares about student success. Keep up your good work.
Gary
I feel that role modeling begins on day one. As a new instructor, I have found that setting the standards at the beginning sets the tone for the rest of the semester. Those standards are being on time, having your homework, etc. I explain my philosophy, the course objectives and I try to clearly explain the expectations of the class and what are the short term and long term goals are for the course. It seems that when I have clearly established what I am expecting, the students that want to learn and succeed seem to gravitate towards this approach while the other percentage realize that the course is challenging and they are going to have to work and often drop my class to seek an easier route to accomplish their goal.
I feel that being a role model is extremely important. It also is important to be available to the students, if for nothing else to let them talk and know that someone is listening to them.
I think that you lead by example
Modeling correct behavior through dress, actions and instruction. Seeing is believing. If I am not dressed in business attire, how could I stress the importance of it to my students?
If I do not speak correctly, how can I create the importance of this in the classroom.
Setting an example is key.
The best way to model the behavior of your students is be the role model. We live near a large military base so a lot of our students come from a background that uses colorful language. One of the rules for my class is to refrain from using offensive language and to expressive themselves in a positive manner. I can help my class by being professional and positive at all times that they interact with me and not just in class.
Hi Traci,
Thanks for sharing this comprehensive approach to instruction. You are giving the students many different opportunities to acquire the course content and develop the needed skills. These blend together to create an effective and efficient learning environment.
Gary
You need to be excited about your subject matter every time you come to class. You need to be on time and professionally dressed. When you are teaching the material, you need to continually show them how the material relates to their career field. You need to have integrity in all of your dealings with the student. Bottom line is you need to make sure you pay attention to all you do or say in the presence of the students because you are modeling behaviors (good or bad).
Hi Melissa,
I really agreed with your post about the "OPENED DOOR POLICY" I am a new instructor but practiced this when i was a Director of Nursing! I found to have a MUCH better relationship with my associates then other D.O.Ns who we not so open with allowing their staff to come in at any time to talk about what was going on in their building ect. As long as my staff came to me and informed me of situations I always told them I would be able to help them! Its the not knowing that I may not be able to help them! I do plan on using this with my students.
I believe ways that I can help my students succeed in health care is by modeling good leadership skills, time managment skills, showing professional conduct, and confidence in the skills I am teaching them. The health care field is a very fast pace field and the classes they take with me is just as fast. I believe in showing my students through these modeled behaviors I am not only gaining their respect as an instructor, but providing them with a guideline of how the field will expect them to perform. We as nurses are to show leadership everyday in our assignments as well as conducting our selves professionally, managing our time, and being confident when performing skills on patients. I can manage time by starting class and ending on time. Following the coarse outline appropriately but also showing my students how to get back on track when a situation out of the norm arises. Overall showing professional conduct in how I am keeping the class on track, managing time of the class, taking time with the students and their individual needs will not only allow the class to run smoothly but will help lead by example for the students for when they are working in the health care field. In demonstarting skills to the students properly it allows them to gain confidence in me as an instructor but allows them the knowledge of how to perform the task/skills correctly so when they are on their own they will have confidence and be successful!
Hi Shawn,
Great to hear this news. This kind of instructional delivery and student growth is what being a great teacher is all about. Keep up the attitude and effort because you are making a difference in the lives of your students.
Gary
Some of the ways I've modeled my behavior to help students succeed is to always prepare for the worst-case sceanrio and never let inanimate things defeat them. In IT, it's easy to get frustrated when you can't fix a problem right away. I tell them half the battle to fixing a problem is deciding what the problem is NOT. Then troubleshoot from there. It's amazing during my labs how many students adapted that philosophy and became better understanding of the material. Just last semester alone, my fellow IT instructor and I got 9 students CompTIA certified. That in itself is a rewarding experience.
I agree, instructors need to be on time, as well as present a professional image. Our dress, presentation of material, language, and respect for the students show them how we behave in our careers. If we show up late for class, seem unprepared, or are disrespectful in our language and the way we treat them, they will think people in their chosen field act this way. The behaviors we portray can lead students to succeed or fail.
