The importance of communicating
When situations are communicated immediately, the effectiveness of problem solving will not be as diffcult to find a solution.
Thanks for your candor about the colored pages, Tammy. Even if it only works to keep you organized, the tool has served a positive purpose.
Honestly, I am not sure that the students notice that the objective page is colored and matches my PowerPoint Presentation theme, but it really helps keep me organized! The students occasionally comment that they like the page because it has exactly what we will cover in class and their assignments and it goes by the syllabus. I am trying my hardest to provide helpful aids for different types of learning styles in order for my students to be successful. Histology and Embryology is a hard (and can be tedious) class!
Color coding/aligning is a clever way to communicate, Tammy. How do the students react?
I think it is important to communicate expectations clearly and accurately in many different forms. A detailed syllabus, occasional email reminders and starting each class and ending each class with a recap of assignments can be effective. Each class, I hand out a brightly colored paper with the objectives for the day and assignment for next class. It matches up to the syllabus and helps to avoid accusations of "I didn't know".
I love that idea. My team has done that. I seems to work for us. It does help with open communication.
As long as the door doesn't stay open for anyone to hear the issues, privacy is a must.
Not only do the instructors need to communicate with the students, they need to communicate amongst themselves! I am very lucky to work in a department where we have weekly faculty meetings and have an “open door†policy between the students and each other. The students see this and feel comfortable coming to us with questions, concerns etc. The faculty bounce ideas off each other, discuss student concerns and help each other implement new teaching ideas. It is a win-win for all.
Communicating details quickly had some mishaps of simple hearing and "I got what I heard". Some communicating ....alas....need to be put out and done quite often, I personally have covered a assignment due at the end of the term for a grade. Believe me...."WHAT ABOUT THIS ASSIGNMENT YOU GAVE US DUE TOMORROW". is curently uttered but they simple don't listen.
Ellen, please tell me more about the connection between direct communication making everyone accountable for school policies.
Loren Kroh
Good observation, Tasha. What's the next step?
Loren Kroh
Many things will get forgotten due to poor communication, staff and instructors will follow their own style not the school policy. Direct communication with all personnel make everyone accountable for school policy.
Students will follow policy if everyone speaks the same.
I think a lot of frustration amongst faculty and students is lack of communication... people want to be in te know so they are better prepared for changes and challenges. And can approach them in a more positive way.
Isn't communication the key to success in any endeavor? If there is good communication among the faculty, staff and with students, the key beginning of trust is created.
Communicating keeps everything open so that there is no guess work of what is required of Staff and students
