Dr. Meers,
Instructional professionalism encompasses so many different things. As a teacher it is important that I model and maintain good boundaries for my students. I am personal and yet professional. I am careful in my use of language always being respectful, encouraging, and yet honest when I need to be. I am timely in my responses to students and detailed so that I am understood.
Renee Bipes
Hi John,
Well defined and clearly described. This keeps the course moving forward and the students engaged.
Gary
Well to break the term down it would be Professional Direction, so this would mean that the direction (teaching) that you give to the students needs to be a professional one. Do not veer off course, with inappropriate word or lectures. Keep subjects to the course and industry. This is how I would define instructional professionalism.
Thanks,
John
Being on top of your game and current in what's going on around the world is Instructional Professionalism. We expect the best out of our students, they expect the best out of us.
Instructional professionalism is being a passionate subject matter expert that is able to convey the best look, sound, and feel of the content being learned.
I would define Instructional Professionalism as the ability of an instructor to lead by example. It encompasses the way they carry themselves, dress and speak.
Instructional professionalism is a balance of technical knowledge and presentation skills that allow students to gain maximum learning. An instructor needs to blend what they know, what students need to know, and the students learning styles into a cohesive set of lessons with relevant, practical applications for students.
Hi Richard,
Thank you for sharing this example of how your experience was a tough lesson to be learned. Glad you survived and are on your way as a dedicated and well prepared educator.
Gary
Instructional professionalism remains as it has been for centuries. The professor presents the material from an academic view. Students then take the material and make application to their own set of circumstances, ask questions, etc. Very Socratic in nature.
My personal belief is the way you want the class to respond to you. This means showing organization, structure, and consistency in the classroom to earn respect from the students. Confidence in the material is a large part in Instructional Professionalism. If an instructor is not confident in the material, how are they able to sell(pitch) the material to the students to retain and apply. When I first started teaching I had a few classes that I was under prepared for and I lost the class. It took weeks of over prepared lessons to win back parts of the class. That was a huge lesson for myself to make sure that I am prepared and confident in the material that I teach.
For me it is being willing to do all the things necessary to help a student succeed. Recognizing that not all students learn the same way or at the same pace which may require us to mofiy the way we present certain material to meet the student part way.
To me Instructional professionalism is an act of doing instructions with in the scope or content of the course that will benefit the students as a whole, by being a model,a manager and a motivator.
Hi Martha,
I understand about students sometimes complaining about high standards in a course. What they miss is that those standards have been set by the field and employers. You are preparing them for success by enforcing those standards so when they complete their training they will be able to meet them and will able to be competitive in the work place. You have to remind them of that once in a while.
Gary
Alisa, encouraging critical thinking is so important today. I have encountered many students who lack basic skills in analyzing a situation or a problem and developing a solution.
Kimberly, I think CEE is a great resource and wonderful tool in helping us to maintain a high level of instructional professionalism.
Dr Meers, projection of professionalism is key in providing credibility to an instructor. I have received some complaints that I set standards too high. It's these students who come back later and thank me for getting them prepared for the real world.
Instructional Professionalism includes the following:
1. the manner in which one presents oneself (dress, speech, etc..)
2. The manner in which one addresses students. Students want to be treated with respect
3. the obligation to remain current with Industry Practices.
Instructional professionalism is a package of subject knowledge, effective delivery method/s and effective learning. The three need to be included for successful learning. In these components the instruction must be presented and delivered in a professional matter which include respect for the student and self, responsibility in ensuring that the subject matter is accurate, and maintaining continuous assessments of student learning progress to ensure that learning is effective.
Knowing the information being shared. Being able to share it in a clear and concise fashion. Starting class on time and being prepared for class on a daily basis.
Hi Gregory,
Both students and instructors can't have too many "aha" moments. When they occur everyone benefits because movement has been made toward the achieving of career goals and a future success.
Gary
