Wear the required uniform.
Use the kitchen tools, and equipment properly.
Show respect for other instructors and students.
Come to class prepared, awake, excited and ready to go!
Hi Rob,
Right you are. It is the learning from those mistakes that make a difference. If no learning occurs the mistakes will be repeated and no progress will be made.
Gary
Mistakes are going to be made in any project. I like to say that we (my students and I) are going to make a lot of mistakes in the course of learning and working on problems. Learning occurs during the correction of those problems.
Hi Jennifer,
You are right about the need for students to understand the requirements of the workplace. Students need to be held accountable for time lines and quality so they will be able to transition into the work place. Instructors can facilitate this development by doing what they say they will do and modeling the proper behaviors.
Gary
I absolutely believe in leading by example. I must set the example and show consistency between my words and my actions. I am very particular about deadlines and quality of work submitted. I have high expectations of the students, but then hold myself to high expectations. For example, one minute late on submitting work is considered late. I remind students that in the workplace a boss sets a deadline and does not look favorably upon missed deadlines. I model this behavior by always arriving to class early, having my lecture prepared, presentation loaded and everything in working order. I grade all work in a timely manner; well before the University deadline. I respond to all student requests in a timely manner. This is how I model timeliness. I also feel strongly about quality of work submitted. In the workplace our boss expects our work to be error-free; showing we took the time necessary to do it right. When students submit papers filled with typos and grammatical errors, I hold them accountable for that. However, I model that myself. Any classroom announcements or postings are proofed to ensure they are error free. I am careful with my correspondence to students to ensure it is also error-free. I must be the right role model and hold myself to the same standards I have for students. “Do as I say, not as I do” DOES NOT WORK :)
Know yourself; strength and weaknesses. You will look better and your students will learn to respect you when you do not claim that you know it all. Although we are experts in our area of specilaity, many time we may encounter a challanging qusetion or situation. It is always better to say I don not know but I can find out the answer for you. This way you model several virtues for your students: Honesty, learning is a life long process, never be ashamed if you do not know the answer, we are all human being with limited capabilities but we can findout the answers or solutions to a new issue.
Hi Gladine,
You have made a number of excellent points concerning the role instructors play in the development of students. We need to remember that we are always on stage even walking down the hall. Our behavior and modeling will carry over for our students into their professional lives and help to make the successful if we provide the right modeling for them to follow.
Gary
I think first and foremost is professionalism. This is a key aspect of every field and every career. By wholistically presenting and teaching about a professional image the students can gain a sense for what will be expected of them as career professionals. An additional method is to invite career professionals to educate the students in the nature of their chosen career field.
There are several ways to model appropriate behaviours for students. Positive professional behaviour modeling would include being on time; dressing appropriately; being honest and admitting mistakes; and respecting student's time in the classroom.
We can also, inadvertently, model unacceptable behaviour. An instructor that uses profanity is giving students permission to do so also.
Cell phones ringing or going off and the instructor stepping out to answer it demonstrates how little importance the instructor places on classroom time and activities.
We should think before we speak, act or do anything in front of a student. They are always watching, and deciding on what behaviours are acceptable in the workforce. Remember, we teach students far more than they will ever read in a book each day when we walk into a class and say "Good Morning".
Just as sure as positive modeling can help a student succeed, negative modeling may make a student less successful.
Which would you chose as an instructor?
By being patient and understanding with all students. Treating all students equitably and fairly while being clear about consequences for poor attitute or performance.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for sharing this example. It is sad to hear about such poor teaching but is common throughout higher education. By being aware of how this impacts students we instructors can make our classes interesting and relevant to our students.
Gary
Maybe I should answer this question by starting out with an example. My wife was involved in developing a survey for the math department at the university she teaches at. They were trying to figure out why it took so many trys for the students to get through the developmental math courses. While surveying the classes she found that many of the teachers were consistently 15 to 20 minutes late. Others completely ignored the students while writing on the chalkboard for the designated class time. These teachers behaviors let the students know that they did'nt want to be their.
Any behaviors I exhibit need to be based around my respect for my students. I always feel that if I can do this then they will naturally return that respect and we can all enjoy the learning process.
Guest speakers help- I always like using interactive excercises combined with internet assignments to keep them engaged.
Guest speakers help= as well as interactive excercises.
Hi John,
This is what a professional educator is about. You are modeling behavior and preparation that is essential for students to observe. This way they can reflect on how them themselves can develop into professionals in their career field.
Gary
When I show up early for class, lay out the daily Class Notes for students to pick up, put the regular simple quiz question for the day up on Powerpoint, and write what I call 'Today's Plan' up on the whiteboard - all this communicates that I am ready for our day. I believe in setting an example of punctuality, personal organization and planning for our session. I am always very neatly and professionally dressed and my language, though not formal, reflects that we are in a teaching environment so I am careful not to use slang or fad terms to communicate.
Hi Gregory,
This is so important in the development of the soft skills of your students. By seeking yourself in the model role you can help them get a jump start on their career development plus you have helped to ground them in their ethical and moral development in relation to their professional lives.
Gary
At all times, I am a professional in my work. My goal is to model behavior that will lead to success and respect in the work place. Thus, it is important that I begin and end classes on time. Being prepared for class shows students I care about my work and about them. Overall, I want students to know that I take my work seriously; their success is my success.
I always show up early to class, demonstrate professional behavior as a basic part of my job. I know that students look up to me and if they see me doing inappropriate behavior that contribitutes to the breakdown of moral and makes it tougher to manage my class. This is not productive to learning.
Hi Erin,
I like this approach. By helping them to understand how they can correct their mistakes and be more effective in their communication you are provided them with some very powerful career tools.
Gary
