Be an expert in the subject matter and be able to transfer your knowledge and passion into the lectures, while engaging the students.
Instructional professionalism is being professional at all times. During lecture, lab, and even in the hallway. Its like being on your best behavior all the time.
Profesionalism starts with being prepared and on time. It has to do with our appearance, dress and attitude. Teachers need to be organized and let them see that we know what we are going to do and how we will get there
Nicole,
I like the way you lay out professionalism. These three items are the core from which instructors should operate.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Getting to class on time.
Preparing for the class ahead of time.
Setting clear expectations before the beginning of each class.
Developing my own expertise, skills and abilities in my field.
Setting realistic goals.
Creating lesson plans as a guide to meet the goals.
Designing lessons for the different learning styles
Instructional professionalism contains three essential characteristics, competence, performance, and conduct, which reflect the educator’s goals, abilities, and standards, and directly impact the effectiveness of teaching through the development of these qualities.
Kimberly,
I like your comments about instructional professionalism which leads to your last sentence. This is what it is all about. We have to hold them to a high standard if they are going to be successful in their field. This is why all the work you go through in your previous statements are so critical. You are going to help them be successful if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Renee,
You have hit upon the key elements of instructional success through your comments. This is what a well prepared professional educator will come to the class with.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Carl,
Good points and items that need to be considered each time we instructors meet our classes.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I define instructional professionalism as the organization of teaching techniques and materials for conducting class. I see it as the way instructors conduct themselves, both for class and during class. I think of it as also having structures in place so that there is consistancy within the material.
I define instructional professionalism as exhibiting the qualities your require of your students. Arrive to class early, be prepared for the day. Communicate clearly & respectfully with your peers. For clinical lab classes, actual role playing is what students seem to learn the most from using what they have learned in lecture and applying it to their area of study. I treat each student with respect and I do a face to face check-in with each student where I verify their questions have been answered and to see how their day is going. Being relational professionally I have come to learn really helps students with their levels of exhibiting professionalism because they know that I hold them at a high standard and I care.
I think that instructional professionalism is when you are able to present the information in a professional manner and keep the attention of each student at the same time. For example, instead of sitting at a desk and lecturing, stand up and move around. Use visuals as much as possible so that the students can physically see what you are talking about. Involve the students in the discussion by asking a question after a topic has been presented. This helps to identify which students are understanding the information and it tells you if you need to break the information down even further.
Instructional professionalism consists of good preparation, subject matter competency, professional conduct and attire. This includes in on time class starts, well organized lessons, and good student-teacher interaction.
Effective teaching by planning and delivering content and also assessing they way students are learning.
An instructor who is a content expert as well as has the ability to share that content in an interactive and engaging. Additionally, this instructor can further enhance learning by bringing case scenarios and real-world experience to demonstrate relevance of the information to the current profession.
I define it as remembering that you are a professional and also an instructor while in the classroom. We are not there to be friends with our students and to have inappropriate conversations with them.
Gayle,
This is the way to model professionalism. You are demonstrating through action and language the passion you have for your field and how your students should reflect their own career development. This way they will know how to dress and conduct themselves when they are in the work world.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am a new instructor, but I present myself before my class the same as I would in the medical feild. I make sure my appearance is professional, and representative of what is expected in the workplace. Down to the details such as jewelery and make up.
I try to present the material to the class in a way that includes actual examples and cases to help them relate to the material and try to motivate them.
Ray,
Well said. Thank you bringing the points out so all of us can use them as reminders.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructional professionalism refers tothings such as : demeanor, appearance, attitude, and self discipline. It means taking the time to properly prepare for a class, bringing all teaching aids necessary to present the class properly, starting each class on time, maintaining order and discipline thtoughout the class and teaching for the full alotted time in each class.
