Hi Daniel,
Well said. Meeting student learning needs is what we are about as teachers.
Gary
Instructional professionalism is using all of the tools at one's disposal to prepare students to carry on the efforts of all of those who have come before them.
Instructional Professionalism refers to the way instructors address the interpersonal nature of their job, namely, the interactions between themselves and their students. It is based upon a student-first approach to teaching, where student learning supercedes one's teaching in importance. Because instructors are people, and all people make mistakes from time to time, instructors must constantly reflect on their handling of situations so that they can learn from their mistakes and move on, not dwelling in the past, and leaving their emotions out of mix. Instructional Professionalism creates a way for learning to prevail even in the unpredictable nature of the classroom.
Hi Rich,
You are dead on with your perception. Instructors instruct in all that they do when working students. They model so many different aspects of conduct that is needed when the students enter their career.
Gary
I believe professionalism is something that is acquired through experience and a dedication to self-improvement. That professionalism will project in the classroom and also into many other aspects of an instructor’s life. Isn’t an instructor’s core purpose to teach? …If not only through curriculum, but also by personal example?
Hi James,
Well said. Students at this level need to develop skill in problem solving and the ability to work with others. An instructor that facilitates the experiences that enables these skills to be acquired is one that is preparing the students for career success.
Gary
Good point. I've also found that communication is a key for successful facilitation. In online education, it is critical to maintain a presence in the online classroom, and to be available to the students. They need to know that the facilitator is with them, just as an on-ground learner needs to know that the classroom instructor is paying attention to what is going on.
The professional instructor is comfortable with current views as well as past views on subject matter, but is also interested in and pursues capabilities in instructional technology and methodology as well.
The role of the facilitator in higher education is to encourage and facilitate the learning process that students initiate. Student persistence is key to success in higher education, and the professional educator is a key factor in supporting learner success.
Hi Marilyn,
Great way of expressing what professionalism is to you. I agree completely. We all need to practice the points you have made.
Gary
Instructional professionalsim starts when I go down the stairs of the faculty loft in clean complete required uniform armed with a pleasant demeanor. Instructional Professionalism is being as fair as I can possibly be to my students and to be as clear as I can be with my materials
I guess that's why we are teachers, we love to learn..........
Hi Mill,
Right you are. That is both the challenge and excitement about teaching. It is work to keep up to date but never boring because each class brings new students and new experiences.
Gary
It is a balancing act, being up to date with technological knowledge and also keeping up with the changing learning and personal challenges our students have.
Keeps me on my toes!
Hi Mill,
Your comments about keeping a balance between class management and compassion are good. My experience has been that if I am fair and consistent with my expectations and requirements then the students respect me. While they are in class I try to support and encourage them on a regular basis. This helps me to establish rapport with them. With respect and rapport they know I care about their success so the work hard to be successful in the course. As a result when they come to me with a situation or in need of some understanding they know I will be compassionate but fair in how I handle the situation.
Gary
For me instructional professionalism is striving to continually learn and evolve my teaching skills as well as being receptive to making change if a technique does not work well.
For me personally the hardest challenge is keeping up with my students ever changing personal distractions and needs. I have had to work on keeping sensitive to the students, maintaing a balance between discipline and being compassionate. Do you have any tips to maintianing this balance?
Hi Jerry,
Great list of contributors to professional confidence and delivery. By having this list completed, planned for and ready to share with students new classes will get off to a good start.
Gary
Hi Martha,
What are some contributing components to the development of instructor success and confidence?
Gary
Having a good curriculum with focus of the student's "total training" in mind. Having a good course outline, in which you follow and making sure the students have a clear understanding of what's to come. With in your curriculum you need to focus on the set goals, objectives, and use methods of instruction to deliver the concept over to the students.
To me instructional professionalism means being confident that the information you are passing on to the students is accurate.
Instructional professionalism of course includes knowledge on the subject matter being taught, but it includes much more than that. It involves modeling correct behavior in the classroom, which also transfers to correct workplace behavior. It also involves managing every aspect of the classroom, and giving the students the best class experience you can. Motivating students is also included, which encourages them to be active participants in the classroom, and to look forward to their upcoming classes and ultimate graduation, upon which they will embark on their new careers. You want to maintain that level of excitement for them, to look forward to their future.
