As far as career education, the standards let you know what is necessary for, not only to do the job, but what may be necessary for liscensing, employment and/or promotion. If you don't rely on these standards, there is an excellent chance that your course will not prepare your students for what they are there to acomplish.
It's my job as an IT instructor to get my students motivated enough to get their IT certifications. Since the IT field is in a constant state of flux, our texts and equipment tend to become dated very quickly. Therefore, it's important to use field standards to append class content and study plans in order to keep students up to date with the newest technologies.
George,
I agree. In addition, it is important that school resources (Library, learning centers, etc.) are constantly revised and that new acquisitions are made to keep pace with industry standards.
Tremayne Simpson
I tech nursing which means the standards for this profession must be adhered to and studnts must know their scope of practice. There are not only legal and ethical issues to consider, the studnets must also know this information to practice safely and pass their stste boards.
You cannot ethically send out students who have learned outdated material. It is important to remain current.
Diana,
I agree. That is why it is important that instructors take advantage of professional development opportunities, that can be used to keep them current in their fields.
Tremayne Simpson
Students will be prepared for what is expected of them in their carreer. Important procedures and methods utilized in the feild will be covered
In my field, staying up to date is really important because of the competitive nature of the profession. Course content must be based carefully around what is current and cutting edge. Therefore, I am constantly reassessing my lesson content based on what is relevant in the modern field of my subject.
I agree. standards as guidelines help the instructor produce a better student. To prepare them for their future classes in their chosen profession let alone their chosen career.
Using the field standards allows you to determine the effectiveness of your teaching strategies. It comes down to assessments and having a common understanding of the student learning outcomes. These should be communicated clearly in the syllabus and the lesson plan is a detailed road map of the syllabus. That road map serves a purpose for the instructor and the students. If the students have no idea where they are "going," then you run the risk of miscommunicating the overall objectives. Students need a clear message so they know what's in it for them and what are the instructor's expectations for the course.
Taryn,
I agree. In addition, the campus library/learning resource center should have holdings available, that represent the field standards for all programs. With these resources, students can research industry standards and compare them with the concepts that they are learning in their courses.
Tremayne Simpson
You don't want to give your students any out of date information, so you as an instructor should always have the most current standards for the class.
Using industry standards as guidelines is critical, particularly in a career college setting, to ensure that the instructor is providing relevant, accurate, and contemporary information. Further, when the students understand that the industry standards are the basis for the guidelines and objectives of a course, they will have a greater appreciation for the import of the materials.
Another reason to use field standards as a guideline is they are updated relatively frequently and probably represent current best practices. This is as opposed to a textbook that might only be revised every five to ten years.
The standards by which we do things, especially in healthcare, can effect the outcome of a patient. We need to make the standards clear to the student so they will know what to work toward in mastery of the given subject. This will help when they go on extern or when they complete the course and enter the job market. Finally, when they prepare and sit for certification, registry, or licensure, they will have the best possible chance at being successful.
This is the main reason to have standards they can learn, and develop the competencies for each particular task they complete to make them the best student, technician, and employee.
Standards are changing all the time. What any given field expects of its employees is not constant, and it is important to know what those changes are, so that the students are getting the most accurate, up-to-date information.
When you are teaching a practical subject that the skills that the students learn are directly applicable to the workplace you have to stay relevant to your industry. It not only makes you look more credible, but puts your students in a better position to be employed; and your institution has the reputation in the job market that you are training the workforce correctly.
The standards as guidelines set the precedence of what is to be learned. Without guidelines, the effectiveness of teaching would be decreased.
Carol,
I agree. That is why it is important that instructors do not become complacent and lose sight of their respective industries. Instructors must consistently seek professional development opportunities that can provide them with ideas that can be transferred and implemented in their course lesson plans.
Tremayne Simpson
Students in math will use it continuing other math
courses and also will use in none math courses.
Field standards are used to show math signs and
steps. The standards are accepted world wide
and used.
