Being easy or tough
Instructor must establish a relationship the students to encourage them to learn, but also keep in mind the fine line between respect and disrepect. Students most often are upset set when an instructor create professional rules and expectation to be followed.
I have been on both sides of this issue. Being a department manager and now a instructor employees and students expect a explination of the rules. I feel the reply of " This is our policy" should be enough in most cases.
And this may be a good time to insert an employer's voice, or perhaps a recent graduate, to validate the importance of the information.
Presentation is everything and if the expectations (policies) are presented tactfully with why they are important from a real life perspective it makes a huge difference.
William, could you share an example of what you are calling window dressing? Is this being strict just to demonstrate authority?
Being tough or easy requires a balancing act between what is truly important for the advancement of the student and what is window dressing. A good instructor will have students know the difference and react accordingly
I do agree with Michelle. If the rules are presented properly and you are firm up front, the students will not only respect you, they will enjoy the class and get a good education.
Great way to keep the students focused,Mark, even though it must mean extra working preparing and grading the quizzes.
I teach Pharmacology. It is often the students toughest course. I give them massive amounts of material, but carefully explain each concept. They are tested daily with a five minute quiz. The student comments almost always read: this is the toughest class I have taken, but learned the most. I think forcing them to review every day makes them feel like they have achieved something they are proud of in the end. The info also sticks with them. This feeling of accomplishment enhances retention from my feedback analysis.
And an inconsistent instructor's reputation spreads quickly, Shelia. Subsequent students will come into the class anticipating this behavior.
I would agree with this. I also feel that the students respond well to and repect consistancy. An instructor that is not consistant from student to student with the rules will loose respect with the class almost immediately and it is hard to gain back.
Patricia, sounds like departmental communication and teamwork are important if you're setting your own interpretation of the generic rules.
Angela, is this a topic for discussion at faculty meetings or staff training? It really can create problems if some instructors don't adhere to the standards.
I do agree that it makes it harder to reinforce policies and procedures when faculty and staff are not consistent with following them. Students must understand that policies and procedures are put into place for the benefit of everyone, and it is part of being a professional when they are followed. If the student is just out of high school they may not get the same perceptive of that of a mature student will. However they still must realize the importance of applying the polices and procedures and this should be made clear in the beginning by the instructor or school staff.
In my mind I think students are glad to know the rules, becasuse they want to please the instrutors and make them happy, as well as themselves happy. So not telling them the rules can and may bring frustrations. I know wthat when I have to correct students they sometimes say, I have never been told that. And thank me for letting them.
I do not think it is the rules or policies the students get upset about. I think it is how these are presented to the student.Focus on being positive
It is essential to always be professional. It is our job to prepare these students for the "real world".
Students thrive in an environment when initial expectations are set. Furthermore, when those expectations are realistic and sufficiently challenging then the student can be encouraged to meet these to thrive in the education envirionment.
I agree set professional rules and expectations and students get upset when you speak to them about their professionalism or lack there of.
I think there is a medium that can be used. I treat the students as if they are my staff members. Then if an issue occures such as a uniform, bad launguage, outbursts.. I try to turn them into a cause-effect. This changes it from a "because thats what the rules say " to a this is the "reason why it needs to be addressed" .. ie. Little kid is now repeating the new word they just got from you. My patients do not recognize you as a medical staff member because your uniform is incorrect....
