Classroom Management
What do you think the similarities and differences are between managing a successful business and managing a successful class? Is success measured the same for both?
Robert,
True! I guess I'd go back to the students individually and find out why they enrolled. They must have been motivated at the moment to change something in their lives. Perhaps they just need a reminder.
Susan Backofen
I think running a classroom and a business are quite similar. However, when running a business you do have one advantage, that their paycheck depends on following directives. Sometimes if a class is filled with not very motivated students, you would wish that grades were as big a motivating factor.
In a word, yes.
We set expectations for students based on the real world of their potential careers. We are an allied healthcare institution, therefore our students wear a uniform of scrubs similar to what their profession wears. Our guidelines of conduct and other aspects of the dress code come directly from those of local hospitals and clinics.
We tell students we are preparing them for a career and always reference back to the 'why' of their education when reinforcing policies. For example, when students ask if they can leave class early, we ask them if they would ask their employer if they could leave work early.
Success for both our students and employees starts with showing up. It also means doing your work well, conscientiously, an diligently.
Having a positive, can-do attitude translates to success in any environment--school or work.
Success measurement for a business is from product quality and quantity, in the classroom education is measured on quality and to a point quantity.
The similarities are that both require structure. Expectations are listed for both areas. The classroom and a business will have objectives and goals. These are measured in the classroom by attendance, exams, homework, etc. In a business they are measured by financials
Customer service in both climates are important. making sure the delivery of the material and meeting the learning styles needs are critical
Dr. Jeffries--
You bring up several great points, especially the one about being able to sleep at night! There is a difference between equality and equity which many of us miss. Being 'fair' doesn't always mean the student (or employee) gets what they want. We all know that there are times when what we want isn't what's best for us.
Susan
There needs to be structure, consistency, and fairness in a classroom or a business. Schools and businesses should have policies and guidelines within to manneuver. Each day a student should be able to expect nearly the same type of behavior and attitude each teacher possesses. A student soon gets upset when it is all right to do "something" one day, and it is not the next day. This inconsistency might run away a good student who otherwise might have stayed on to graduate. Employees want the same behavior from their supervisors or directors. Finally, students want fairness for themselves. Sometimes it is hard to get a student to understand that in your professional eyes you are being fair. I strongly feel that if you make a decision with a student issue and can go home and go to sleep without feeling guilty for what you did, you are probably fair. This is simply good customer service to our student customers. Businesses have been built, among other areas, by having exceptional customer service.
Perhaps to a point. From a manager stand point they are working with person that know what must be done. On the other hand this is not the case with inexperinced students.
I think they are very similar.As we conduct our training,both class and lab, we always try to put in perspective how it relates to the real world.Just as in 'the real world', we have deadlines that have to be met.If students are not held to a standard,their employers wont like the product of our efforts.
I see very little difference between the two. I run my classes and labs like I ran my shops. i think that if you change the way that you operate it will set the students up for failure as technicians. You should not forget that you are training these people to be technicians in the future, and not to be students forever. At some point you expect them to go out into the workforce. So treat them like you would a new employee, and they will have a better understanding about what is expected when they get out to the real world.
Absolutely! If you are not there you will not get paid for that day. If you miss class, you will not get paid in the sense that all learning pays off in the long run. When you are absent, your co-workers have to carry the load. When you miss class, your fellow students miss out on whatever you may have contributed to the class discussion that day.
Steve--
I agree! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the lightbulb go on for students. Often we don't know how much we have impacted them unless they contact us--sometimes years later.
Susan
The similarities of both a successful business and a successful class are always making sure your customers are getting what they are paying for in a positive attitude.
The success is more difficult to measure in a classroom experience because the results of managing are less immediate and harder to measure than a typical business, however the payoff in the end is much greater also.
Dave--
That is excellent that you have such great, real-life examples of how it works in the real world and then make the analogy to the classroom.
Susan
I like to tell my students that our relationship is similar to a shop foreman to technician. There are expectations in both cases. Most are the same. When I ran a business, I had to be early and organized. Jobs ready to be delegated as soon as employees arrived. Have clear expectations given to my employees. Be fair and willing to listen to any questions or concerns from them.
steve-
they are both similar. Because in order to managing a business you have to manage your personnel in each individual departments. We manage our classrooms the same way. Sometimes we deligate certain students that we can trust in getting the job done. We also tell them that in oder to become a good leader. You have to know the subject or equipment and be a good listener.
Stanley--
I couldn't agree more! An 'real-world experienced' instructor adds so much to the classroom, especially if they are willing to share the successes and 'challenges' on the job.
Susan
I believe that a huge factor in play for a positive student experience; is to have an educator with various life experiences.The insructor can then relate to the student real life demands,enviroments,situations,personalities and challenges that they must be prepared for.Having a lab and class enviroment can initially prepare students for those coming events.
