So what do we think is the soft skill that most students are missing?
Which is the hardest one to teach?
I totally agree with you Philip. A letter grade just merely seperates the learning curves in the classrooms. I also like to encourage students to utilize what was learned and apply it outside of class.
I believe that the combination of things teachers do to develop and maintain positive relationships with their students (which are those not printed on any syllabus)are the greatest part of what makes a highly effective teacher. This holds true regardless of the age of students.
I think it is good to bring up expectations and how they differ from person to person and especially student to instructor. So even though a student does get a C, maybe that is one of their great accomplishments, and if they feel pride in that C, encourage that pride, instead of making a statement, like "only a C".
I feel the most important quality that sets highly effective instructors apart from others is the ability to relate to their students as human beings. Often times I feel that instructors have an expectation of what they would consider to be the 'ideal' student. If a student does not reach that expectation academically or even sometimes physically or emotionally, the student will be considered not worthy of the instructor's time. It is imperative to look at each student as an individual, and do what is necessary to bring out the best in them. Not all students will get an A. For many a B- or C is their best. When a student who is given the chance to do their personal best, achieves their personal best, that is an ideal student. That makes for a highly effective instructor.
