Carol,
Thank you for the proper use of language.....students just do not realize how important this is.
Shelly Crider
Christine,
I like the Positive Dispositions! Especially when students could be tired or have many things on their plate.
Shelly Crider
We hold the students accountable for their professional dispositions. In addition to their skill level, they are all also evaluated on Communication & Social Skills, Professional Demeanor & Positive Dispositions, Performance/Initiative, Thinking skills, and Organizational Skills. This helps them prepare for working in the "real" world. With this also being a part of their final grade, they can learn how to act once they begin their careers.
We also have a Professional Development Course at our school (I also do not teach this course) but I stress professionalism and proper useage of language throughout their tenure at school. I also stress the importance of using a professional attitude in everyday life (at home, grocery shopping, social media, etc...) I think this is will become a reflection of how they truely are in life. Just as Amy H. had mentioned - you never know who is watching.....
James,
I like this....even in the parking lot. It is terrible to see someone who professes professionalism, but rants at the car!
Shelly Crider
Mark,
This is true. You can be a great technician, but if you cannot communicate.....no business!
Shelly Crider
I assist the students to develop professional skills by practicing professional skills in every place that the student may see me - the classroom, the hallway, the teachers' lounge, the parking lot, my car, in the facilities, etc. By doing this students will have a model of professional behavior to follow. I control the classroom by controlling the speech patterns and words used in it, emphasize polite behavior, and let other students act as professional mediators.
At our school, even though the students are taking core classes in design/technology/medical areas of study, in my English class, I constantly stress the need for effective communication skills, regardless of their actual professional career.
Rosemary,
Excellent point. How can we expect something that has not been taught? You certainly do not know what you do not know.
Shelly Crider
lilia,
I like this! We do need to model professionalism and this is a perfect example why!
Shelly Crider
I think this is the root of the problem we are finding in the classroom. Many of the students have not experienced professionalism in their lives previous to college and have no idea how to behave, dress or relate to others. We do not have a Professionalism class at our college but the instructors try to focus on this in all of our classes and show by example. We grade students on punctuality, professional behavior, deadlines and require several presentations where students are required to dress professionally.
In your everyday activities each student is evaluating how you handle a dilemma with a student or a patient or even a colleague.
So..its very important to model the professional behavior because each student will remember what you do versus what you said.
Kelly,
I like this! Very creative!! Students will enjoy somthing new and outside the box!
Shelly Crider
Mohammed,
Critical thinking is really needed in all careers. I like that you add it to your classes.
Shelly Crider
An additional exercise to my Business Communication class we hold a Meet & Greet Mocktail Party and card exchange.
We plan invitation hold meetings utilizing the communication skills covered in the class. The soft skills of eating politely, holding a drink and shaking hands, elevator speeches has been a fun way to practice soft skills and wrap up the class objectives.
Hands on activity, quiz, critical thinking questions help to determine students skills.
Cheryl,
Indeed!!! We as instructors need to set the way!
Shelly Crider
Christine,
I had to go to an extern site once only to see my "professional student" with a hughe hickey!!!
Shelly Crider
Mark,
Good point. A student must know what professional skills are why they are needed.
Shelly Crider
In my opinion the student must understand what professional skills are first. Then the student can be molded and guided with my help to obtain the skills needed.
Before becoming a teacher of ultrasound I worked in the field for many years. I bring to the start of every class professional and from day one. I also bring in my friends still working in the field as guest speakers so students can see the variety of people and personalities that make up their field.
We have a career service area in the school that works with the students about half way into the program on other types of skills needed to become well rounded and ready for the workforce. Everyone starts and ends at a different level but all students have better professional skills then when they started the program.
