Teachers create a clear plan to prepare the student for the class work that the teacher is planning. Understanding that individuals learn differently will also help in the aid of teaching. Having control of the classroom environment is a must. Being able to translate the knowledge you possess as a professional and a teacher is a must. It would be more productive to impart the knowledge through lecture, instruction as well as assessment. You must also take care of your professional responsibilities
outside of the classroom.
Hi Aquila,
Good definition that both professionally and socially. You are modeling the standard that you expect of someone in your field. This way your students know what they need to concentrate on in terms of their own professional growth and development.
Gary
In looking at instructional professionalism, I see it as "leading by example." I present myself in a manner that will hopefully motivate the students to imitate. The term "imitate" is used because when the makeup of my students is observed there are many that are unsure of how to conduct themselves in a professional setting. The goal is to impress upon the students the importance of conducting themselves in a manner that is appropriate for the professional arena while instructing them in the skills necessary to perform their various tasks in the workplace.
I agree. Instructional professionalism plays an important role in the quality of students they send out into the workplace .
I believe that students learn from you in every aspect- from the way you dress, to the way you present yourself to them and to your collegues, to how you conduct your class, etc. I would never expect more of my students than I can give/show them.
Instructional Professionalism is to me the set of norms or rules any educator must follow whenever is on the classroom or outside of it. Some examples would be a correct language, expertise on the given subject and correct dress code, among others. Students and colleagues always look up to us as a role model in every aspect.
How do I define instructional professionalism? Instructional professionalism to me is to maximize your knowledge and be able to deliver this information to your students effectively. We must learn how to communicate with our students on all levels and challenging them so they are prepared when entering the field. We are the one's who set the example for what to expect when they finally enter the workforce.
Hi Renita,
Well said. With your method you are able to adapt and modify as needed throughout the course. This is critical because classes can change quickly as you well know and you have to be flexible enough to be able to meet the newly emerging needs.
Gary
Understanding what needs to be accomplished within a course, evaluating the starting points for the various students, and then mapping out the most capable and complete bridge between the two. I have to constantly re-evaluate what is going on and its effect to bring out the best in my students and lead them, while avoiding "collisions".
Hi Sean,
I like your list. These three components are what it is all about in terms of being a professional educator of merit.
Gary
I believe instructional professionalism has three aspects. First, it is the personal appearance and confidence that an instructor portrays. Secondly, it is his/her indepth knowledge of the relvant material. And finally, I think the love of the subject must be readily apparent to all the students.
Hi All,
Great definitions of professionalism. You all have developed a keen understanding of what being a professional is all about, thus your success in your field. The key is to communicate to your students how important their professional development is to their future success. This is something they really have to have an understanding of if they are going to be successful.
Gary
For myself, instructional professional is defined by how I take each teaching experience and use it to better my teachings methods, approach, and style. I come away with something new from each and every teaching experience. This can range form how to better provide assessment, to implementing new materials, to simply improving the materials or activities that I have been using. As an instructor, I am always looking for ways to approach things in a better way, to teach my students in a more meaningful manner.
For me, a few things come to mind when I think of instructional professionalism:
(1) Being prepared for class- knowing the material, understanding how the material for that day fits within the larger context of the course, having organized and intelligible class notes, and thinking ahead of time about possible questions from students.
(2) Setting a proper tone for the classroom- the tone can be light but it must be one where students are challenged and expected to learn. This includes controlling the classroom, for example, ensuring that students do not take over through excessive questioning or commenting.
(3) Logically presenting the material- the material for the class day should be presented in an organized fashion (not slap-dash). Illustrations and examples should be used to make challenge portions of the material more readily accessible.
Instructional Professionalism means to deliver the subject matter using many strategies to meet as many as possible learning styles of your students. When you give a test you keep all grades confidential and if the students tell you personal information about themselves please keep that information confidential.This proves to the students that the instructor can be trusted and is a professional. Also the instructor must dress his/her role as well as act their role. The instructor must know the subject area of the material being taught.
I define instructional professionalism as having a knowledge base of a subject and sharing it in a professional classroom setting.
Instructional Professionalism means presenting the subject material through many different activities to meet as many as possible learning styles of the students in your class. Also, keep all thoughts, grades, and student information confidential. Also the instructor should dress the role and act the role. The instructor should be open and helpful to the students but not enable the students.
Instuctional professionalism cannot be defined in a single sentence. It is defined by a spectrum from instructor attitude toward the class and its content to the way an instructor dresses.
An instructor must look at all behaviors that are displayed and then make sure that only positive ones are being brought to the training setting.
I agree with you Julie- it takes not only preparation of the material but preparation of the instructor regarding behaviors that display a role model for the students.
