Communication
It's very important to communicate with our students making sure we always keep our doors open and listening not just hearing the problem.
We are not only seen as instructors some of our students see us as mentors and in most cases the only person they trust.
This is a vitally important point. Given the varied background of students, sometimes instructors are standard with which students wish to become. Communication and understanding help to demonstrate our commitment to students.
Communication can take many forms. Are the challenges different working with students who will be interacting regularly with patients?
It's very important to communicate with students from the get go. As a clinical dental hygiene instructor, I think that in many cases, the students don't understand the rigors of the coursework from orientation, not sure how to improve this. However, I do agree that instructors are seen as mentors and in a lot of cases, the only person that the students feels they can trust.
Yes, as mentors we need to listen with an open heart and be sympathetic and show the students we genuinely care. This makes a big difference because they do not open up to authority, but if they are comfortable enough they will honestly voice their problems and concerns.
I agree that it is crucial to stay in close approachable, nonjudgmental communication with the students. Often times it is faculty that must recognize a problem before a student will even acknowledge they have a problem. Early communication is key.
I completely agree with your post. Getting to know your students, always keeping our doors open and listening is one of the most important skills an instructor should have.
I agree that students look up to us and to us for direction. In a way we are kind of like counselors. We are there for them as guides.
PATRICIA, what is your preferred form of communication? How do you measure the effectiveness of your efforts?
Communication, very important to success in everyone's life. When it comes to students, we as instructor must listen to our students to better communicate with them ,this sometimes make our job easier, and allows our students to gain trust in us, because they feel there is some who cares.
Communication is critical! That is how trust is built, and with that trust retention is enhanced!
It is a fine line between being available to help and becoming a confidant and that line may be a different levels for different instructors. Hopefully, there are professional services available for the problems that exceed your comfort level.
I agree, but sometimes students can forget we are still instructors. They will at times open up too much, which is a good sign that they trust us, but we are not in a position as an instructor to handle what we have been told. Then you have to decide when to take the next step or not, even on the simple things. But I do like feedback that can help me improve as an instructor.
Johnny, don't apologize for time spent in the trenches. Keep up the good work. Hope you feel better soon.
I believe that communication is the most important thing. I believe there needs to be constant communication even with the instructors to find out what concerns he is having with the students and what interaction/communication they are having with them. It will most likely help with any changes to be made or better their experience in the classroom. If they are having trouble outside the class personally, then it is our job to maintain a peace of mind in the classroom for them so they do not decide to leave the program/school.
I couldn't agree more with this. While still maintaining the distance necessary between instructor and student, one of my approaches is to slog it out alongside the students in the trenches, to show them that I'm willing to do the work and get my hands dirty with them. The analogue of this, I guess, is that I try to be the sergeant in the field with the students instead of the desk jockey aloof from them. I hope that doesn't sound as self-aggrandizing as I'm afraid it does; it's late here and I have a heavily-medicated cold. :)
Jessica, you certainly seem to go the extra mile. Do your students stay in touch after they complete their coursework with you?
I agree with you Teresa. I as well like to keep the door open. To be able to do this I send weekly emails to all my students. I do send out mass emails but also every week I choose different students to contact by phone as well. This helps to keep that communication going. I also make sure to acknowledge birthdays by sending Happy Birthday emails. Even when students mention any other important dates. Sometimes I even add fun little pictures in the emails or quotes to keep the motivation and to help them realize that I am here to help.
