Should faculty ever talk about things not related to class?
"Faculty play an extremely important role in retention and students are typically very intimated by them, especially early in their classroom experience. Having faculty communicate things that make them 'real' and affirm to students that they are people as well as professionals, will significantly help retention efforts." I related to this insight. There is a fine line between faculty, mentor, and friend. Being a mentor puts you in the position between the two, but makes the students relate to you and come to you with any needs or concerns.
I completely agree. Professional stories of how and what you have experienced in the field is given every day in my class. The students love the stories. My background including hobbies gets them to know that I am a person not just an instructor. I would never bring up personal issues or work issues with students. There are some things that our students do not need to know.
Yes and No. Yes when it comes to background, job experience. Lightly on surface overview (Married, Children, pets,etc). NO on Personal Private issues. Keep perfessional boundaries a priority.....
I think that it depends on the dialogue of course but in post-secondary education, the learners are adult and speaking to them as adults and people is a way for them to relate. Should instructors be a part of the daily interaction...yes! I feel that an ice-breaker is a great way to start the day to get their minds going and that may be a question about their weekend.
Anthony,
...and hopefully some strategies for coping. It is encouraging to know that others have 'survived' our current trials.
Susan Backofen
I do carefully share my memories of being a student. when a student is explaining "I just don't see how I will complete the course because of how trying life is while in school"
they will say they are only able to work a few hours a day and have very limited time etc.I share having had the same concerns and similar issues to let them know its possible.
I agree that there is a fine line. Even if the instructor doesn't "think" they are doing anything wrong, other students may view things differently.
There is a fine line as to what a faculty member should discuss in class. If it does not relate to career preparedness, the topic at hand or the school in general; then it should not be discussed. It is very common for faculty to build relationships with their students, and they should. However, any personal relationships should not be formed until after the student has graduated. Inappropriate topics can cause other students to feel uncomfortable and they are wasting their time and money. this leads to a retention problem.
