Students need to have respect for the instructor and believe that the instructor knows what they are doing. With this, they feel they can really learn from that instructor. I do tell a little about myself to a new class but it is to let them know that I am qualified and knowledgable to deserve that respect and I want to give that knowledge to them.
I also agreed with you. We are also being oserved by any future employers and new students thinging about taking your course.
As instructors we set the example of what is expected from our students. The way we look, talk and present ourselves. We are consistly under a microscope with students as well as management looking at us. I've found that when a respected instructor presents themselves professionally, the students tend to follow his lead and will present themselves profesionally as well.
Hello Larry,
Yes, I have had an instructor(s) that allows too much unrelated discussion. I simply let the instructor know that it is his/her responsibility to keep the discussion on topic. Instructors must know how to reel students back in because they can get off topic. Instructors must maintain control.
Yes, I have had an instructor(s) that would make comment about the policies whenever students challenge them. I have a firm conversation with the instructor to let the instructor know that they must be on my side in front of students, and they are to enforce all policies without commenting to students.
Once respect is gone, it is hard to recover. The good thing is that in the career college industry, once those old students have graduated, you have an opportunity to start anew with new students who do not know anything about you.
Patricia
Hi Lynn,
There is a difference in power. Some instructors need to understand that the power realm of things must be utilized when necessary so that students fully understand who is in control.
Patricia
Hi Randolph,
Great response! Respect is gained through professionalism.
Patricia
Hi Charles,
ALL students should be treated the same. No one student should be shown special treatment. Students frown up teacher's pets.
Patricia
As an instructor you do do want to let the student or students get the idea that they will receice special treatment. You also my lose control of the class.
A person that is professional will recieve respect from the students .Yuor image from the first second must be constant with appearance, attitude and language
Students need to understand their is a power differential. Instructors are in the class to teach, mentor, and assist students while maintaining balance and structure in the classroom. Crossing the boundaries of professional distance helps the students to see you as a professional.
Patricia,
Have you ever had an instructor that allows too much discussion not related to the course syllabi? How do you deal with it?
Have you ever had a school policy change affecting the instructor and student wherein the instructor had to begin enforcing the policy. The instructor was challenged by the student on the policy and the instructor responds with, "well I did not make the policy, I am supposed to enforce it." How would you handle this?
Is it possible for an instructor who has lost a majority of classroom respect trying to be a "friend," to recover from this? If so, how do you get the instructor back on track?
Hi Patricia,
I concur! It takes some students to get to the end before the actually get it, and they finally appreciate the hard-nose that was played by the instructor. We care, but we also have to enforce rules, policies, and procedures.
Patricia
Instructors are not in the business to be the 'buddy' to the student. Certainly the student must know that the instructor has a concern for their well being in the classroom. That they are emphathetic enough to support their personal issues as it relates to their studies. Such as a sick child and a paper not being completed. However, caring about the student does not excuse them from the work or participation in the learning process. Sometimes that becomes a hard line to draw, but very rewarding overall I would say.
Hi Michael,
You're right, as long as they know you are professional and you are all about business, you are establishing the line, and they know not to cross it. It is all in the way you present yourself!
Patricia
Hi Cristofer,
It is the instructor's responsibility to establish the line and not let students cross the line.
Patricia
Hi Lisa,
Great response. The classroom should be all about busines, personal should not be inflicted in the classroom.
Patricia
Hi Kathleen,
Professionalism says a lot about you as a person whenever you are an educator. Students look at you in a very positive way.
Patricia
It gives students confidence that your are legitimate and not just there to make friends. Older students expect to get as much out the course as possible and a professional instructor makes them feel more secure.
Keeping a personal distance helps maintain a professional learning environment, romotes respect, and does not waste class time discussing the instructor's personal life. It is the obligation of the instructor to teach and pass on required information re: the topic in an interesting mannor, which will become difficult of the instructor is too "chummy" with his/her students.
THe boundary removes the chance of blurring the lines to a point that students don't see the instructor-student boundary. If they don't know the line, then when they cross it, you, as an instructor, have a harder time relecting a positive image because you then have to go back on what you said, did, etc.
