Balancing between conecting with students but also being professional so the students don't think of you as a pal. We need to be their support but not go over boared with that as well. T hey need to know we care but if they need to dump their problems on us we should refere them to a guidence counsler for that.
Patricia,
Great definition! I like the way you cover the different aspects of providing instruction and support to students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think Instructional Professionalism can be defined as teaching the class the correct ways to achieve the training they need in order to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. They need to exemplify honesty, integrity, timeliness and compassion. these traits will allow them to do the best job they can while keeping a professional profile.
Michael,
What are some ways that you reflect your professionalism to your students?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Striving to create a teaching environment in which you are confident, effective and trusted by your students.
Informed + Prepared = Confident
Focused + Engaged = Effective
Honest + Compassionate = Trusted
I define instructional professionalism by ones attitude in how information is delivered in context as well as attitude/demeanor.
James,
This is a good way to help the students with the development of their critical thinking skills. They need to be able to problem solve and you are helping them to acquire the steps needed to do so. The questioning format of teaching is a good way to motivate and challenge students in their learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By giving my experience out to the class as a form of an intriguing theory. Almost by getting a question only to ask a question back. An example of this is to say, "why is a line drawn in class a certain thickness when other lines are thinner or a different color?" "Why would someone waste their time even looking at a bunch of lines on a drawing if they were only interested in only one thing on it...? Why Would These Differences be Introduced or Classified as they are?" This makes them not only think about their question they asked, but makes them use their own answer while performing their activity, making their task easier to explain and show. Other than this is expected, because of these reasons we all do what we do in the real world/job.
Chris,
Good points about professionalism. We are always "on stage" with our student both within the classroom and without when we are moving about the campus. We need to keep this in mind as we conduct ourselves and interact with the students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
To me, Instructional Professionalism all starts with how you present yourself as a person. The way you carry yourself, the way you treat your students and coworkers, and how you present your content. When you are not professional in your classroom, some students take that as they don"t have to be professional in what they are doing.
Michelle,
Well said and critical to the career development of your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Claudia,
This setting is good training for the students. By you following and enforcing the policies of the facility in which the students are working they are learning that they have to follow the "Golden Rule". The people with the gold make the rules, meaning we all have to follow the rules and policies of our employer if we want to continue our employment and progress in our career. Many students have a hard time with this concept as you well know.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructional professionalism is having expert knowleedge in your field, modeling professional behavior for your students and bettering yourself as a teacher by participating in a professional development plan.
Asha,
I do the same with great results. Having a few minutes to visit with the students and get a feel for their mood that day is really valuable in terms of how I am going to direct the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Monica,
Very comprehensive definition of professionalism. You are showing your students not only technical content and knowledge but are modeling the career behavior needed for success as well. Great job!
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am a clinical instructor, therefore I am not in the classroom much. The hospital where I am with my students has very strict policies and we have to follow those as well, even though we are only guests. To be professional for me means that I follow all the policies of the facility and of my school/campus and program. I have to show my students that I am knowledgable about what they are learning in the hospital. My biggest "thing" is, as my students can verify, attendance and punctuality.
I try and arrive before time and am ready when class begins. I plan ahead and have my paperwork needed for the day ready.
I always try and be enthusiastic about my class
Defining instructional professionalism is a two part process. The first is instructional: ie how you incorporate your personality and teaching style into your lessons. The second is how to do so professionally.
Instructional professionalism includes being prepare for class. It also includes staying current on the topics that you will be presenting. Presenting outdated material is not only foolish but detrimental to your students success. Imagine how professional it would be if we presented the solar system as a geocentric model.
Instructional professionalism also includes staying on top of new technology. You don't have to be a computer wiz, however, utilizing email, online gradebooks, and online materials helps you stay professional and improve your instructing at the same time.
iScott,
Set the tone for the class with a well prepared syllabus that outlines the expected behavior for the class. Reinforce this behavior as you do class introductions and the welcome. When the behavior occurs ask to talk with the individual privately. Talk with the individual and ask for his/her cooperation in the class. This will generally result in better behavior and performance. It this doesn't work then put the student on a behavior contract which outlines the expected behavior with a specific time frame set out for the change in behavior. During all of this keep your administration informed so they will support you if you have to dismiss the student from class. No student has the right to disrupt and interfere with the learning of others. Dismiss the student from the class and focus on reaching the remaining students. Removing the mis-behaving student sets the tone for the rest of the class and you will be able to get back to teaching.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It is knowing your material, presenting it in an easy to understand fashion, and being a good role model.
