Donna, I really like how you relate good rapport and clear expectations. Empirically I have noticed a very strong correlation between how an instructor sets out the ground rules day one of a class and continues to stick to their guns throughout the course. There are situations where extreme circumstances need to be handled on an individual basis and I feel there is room for such situations. Using compassion for extreme situations can strengthen the relationship between an instructor and an entire class of students.
Regards,
James Jackson
Great comments Merle. In the business world this is called being fair but firm. Showing compassion as an instructor will assist in building great relationships with your students. Enforcing the rules fairly and evenly will gain you respect by your students. The difficult part can be when to be firm, fair, or compassionate. I have actually used end of course evaluations and surveys to collect data points on these from my students to get a more qualitative understanding of their perceptions of my teaching style. After reading and learning from such instruments, I make adjustments until I found a style that worked best for me and my students.
Regards,
James Jackson
Excellent point Merle. As an instructor, you are the leader in the classroom and we have all heard of leadership by example. It is up to the instructor to model the way and be a constant reminder to students of proper behavior and proper attitude.
Regards,
James Jackson
I believe one of the most important traits is organization. If the instructor appears unorganized, the students will pick up on that immediately. That could spell trouble. Students will lack trust in the instruction. Students may not respect the classroom and the instructor may find him/herself spending too much time addressing issues that are not content-related.
Merle Point-Johnson
I believe that the instructor should be somewhat flexible and adequately patient. Being somewhat flexible will illustrate that the instructor is concerned about student success and being patient demonstrates the instructor's willingness to work with the students and to assist the student in succeeding in the course.
A good instructor must be able to combine good rapport with clear expectations. All discipline and correction must be done in a calm, good-natured manner, so as to show respect for the student. Where possible, the reasoning behind an expectation also helps encourage students to cooperate with the expectations.
I believe it is important to treat each student with respect. Be prepared each day with a lesson plan and make each student comfortable to ask questions and participate in discussions. Observe student's response to classroom activities to ensure he or she understands the lesson. Always be professional, yet caring.
You really need a mix of understanding, and a keep on task attitude. If you are only a "friend" to the students they will never take you or your class seriously.
Very well stated Hernand. The popular saying, "it is better to give than to receive", comes to mind as I read through your post. Being an educator is about what you give to your students more than what you get back. Building respect and trust is incredibly vital to the overall success of a lesson plan. If your students respect and trust you they will more likely learn from you.
Regards,
James Jackson
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jorge. I really like the comment you made about coming to class prepared. Being prepared may be one of the most under rated skills in education today. Students will get so much more out of a well designed lesson plan and expect their instructors to be prepared to motivate along with educate. Experienced instructors can manage their lesson plans quickly while it may take less experienced instructors a longer period of time but both situations require the same attention to detail.
Regards,
James Jackson
Maria, thanks for your response. I really like your comment about instructors having a positive attitude. I feel this is very important and is a form of leadership by example. Students have enough taking place in their lives without dealing with a disgruntled instructor. Check your attitude at the door and always remember your focus should be on your students and ensuring they have as outstanding of an educational experience and you can offer to them.
Regards,
James Jackson
I believe competence, confidence, and enthusiasm are the traits of successful instructors for teaching and classroom management. Classroom management also requires attention to consistency and follow-through. A relationship must be established that balances student accountability and flexibility. Consistency in school-wide policy is also important.
Mary Malek
I believe a good instructor has the respect of his/her students, demonstrates knowledge of the content area which he/she teaches, understands the principles of teaching adult learners, and shows respect for the students. Also, an instructor of adult learners understands the problems and issues which may effect the performance of the students in the class. This issues or problems may relate to family or employment situations which are not in the control of the student. The instructor needs to show a certain amount of flexibility when helping a student deal with these situations. Finally, an instructor who maintains good classroom management clearly states the expectations for the class and the class requirements from the beginning of the class. Adult learners need and like to know what is exactly expected of them.
The Best style is the one that motivates the student you are working with some work better with the control some work better with the buddy. I dot understand that the guide the balance of both worlds. But i times I find my self. not balance and I push threw and motivated the student.
Alex, you have made a very interesting statement here. How do you define the quality of student? Who makes that determination? I am interested in your leadership style with respect to how you handle a classroom where a wide range of "quality" is experienced in your classroom and by this I am saying how you manage the classroom when "low quality" students are mixed with "high quality" students.
Thanks for any information you are willing to share.
Regards,
James Jackson
Ward, you have provided some great points. First and foremost, I see nothing wrong with letting your students know there is a reason you are the one teaching them. It is always good for students to know you are confident in your skills and knowledge on the subject. Students will however make a game of things if you set yourself up as a "know-it-all". Why even give them such a challenge. Your comment about not knowing everything is spot on and I highly encourage all educators to be totally honest with their students - It is not about knowing everything as much as how to find what you need when you need it and then know how to use it. Students will come to respect any instructor they feel is honest and humble. They will take every chance they can to knock anyone off the top of a mountain.
Regards,
James Jackson
Thanks for your feedback Sonia. You are so correct to say that the best instructors will use different delivery methods to reach all of their students. By understanding different delivery methods high performance instructors are better capable of meeting the learning objective needs of their students.
Regards,
James Jackson
In my opinion I believe a good Instructor should be respectful, tactful, and above all Professional. Respectful to the individual taking his or her class. Let the student know they are welcomed and will be recieved with the utmost respect. Tactful, in dealing with people the instructor needs to know how to respond to a student without being rude. Professional, caring yourself in a manner where you know you want to be treated with respect know what you are teaching and always be organized.
I believe the instructor must be very enthusiasm, friendly, excellent attitude, and good personality to help the students to archive his or her goals. Must be preparing before enter to the class or be early and have everything ready when the students arrive.
Regardless classroom management treats the students fairly and with respect all the time.
An instructor should always set the best example for their students. They should be knowledgeable about what they are teaching and display enthusiasm for teaching and helping the students so that the students will display enthusiasm about learning. Instructors should be approachable when students have questions or concerns about the material being taught. Instructors should be on time, organized, prepared to work and begin the day with a positive attitude. Instructors should not humiliate students, put them down, or make them feel inferior. Instructors are there to encourage students and teach them the tools to be successful in their chosen field. If the instructor presents a good role model, the students will follow.
