Common Mistakes made by Instructors
1.Aiming To Be Buddies With Their Students
2.Being Too Easy On Discipline
3.Not Setting Up Proper Organization From The Start
4.Getting Involved In Campus Politics
5.Not Asking For Help
6.Being Overly Optimistic And Too Easily Crushed
7.Being Too Hard On Yourself
Hi Sheri,
I've seen this happen too. Instructors should never subject themselves to this type of action. Favoritism is frowned up in educational institutions.
Patricia
I agree with your list. Many times I have seen instructors become more of a friend to the students than an educator, coach, mentor. It seems when this happens, it is usually only 1 or 2 students and they get favoritism, not challenged/answers given to them, they are passed through the class. They also won't discipline students because they don't want to write up their favorite student.
Amen! I think #7 in particular was a struggle for me when I first started teaching, and I have since learned the importance of #3. I see colleagues who are continually frustrated that students aren't learning and growing, and a lot of it is because the students have not received clear expectations and structure from the instructor.
Hi Yvonne,
I concur! You are, who you are, whether it is in an academic setting or in a job setting.
Patricia
I like your comments. I think that as instructors with real world experience we should be aware of these things, they truly don't change from the work world to the academic world.
