Get Your Students Hired
As a CAD Instructor at ITT Technical Institute I have found that exhibiting a professional outlook has been most successful. By maintaining the proper appearance and using appropriate language as well as requiring students to do the same it has made a trendous difference in the behavior and expectations of the student.
Well, while I'm sure the effect is somewhat less than "TRENDOUS" (chuckle), I'm most assuredly in agreement that to teach professionalism, one must DISPLAY professionalism. This includes appearance, dress, language, hand-outs, penmenship, speech, vocabulary (or lack thereof), credentials, punctuality, and SPELLING among other attributes.
Hi Charles,
As you well know many students do not have experience with what a career professional really "looks" like. It is up to you to create that image through your conduct and behavior.
You make a number of good points about helping students see and learn about what is acceptable behavior.
Gary
I fully agree also. Professionalism is a top notch priority in the classroom envirionment. When students see instructors demanding less than that - it sacrifices the learning envirionment and your (instructor/school)credibility!
I feel quick, firm, & consistent punishment in poor behavior is valued & respected by students. This also helps maintain the professional image of a school that has earned that image.
Tolerating poor behavior - just says; oh... that's acceptable behavior.
oxox
Joseph,
I agree with your thoughts regarding professionalism. Unless we model professionalism ourselves (in dress, language, time, etc), we should not expect it from our students. Many of them have not been exposed to professionalism before and need to know what will be expected of them in the workplace.
Hi Jerry,
Excellent point. We must always keep our professional perspective in mind as we deal with students.
Gary
I agree. Students react very well to someone who conducts himself in a professional way. Students may not always show that professionalism is important to them but believe me they do care. Students are constantly observing us. Also, they are proud to point to someone who carries professional qualities as their Teacher/Instructor/Professor.
Hi Joseph,
Professionalism is such a simple concept but often hard to get across to students. By presenting oneself as a model of professionalism you can help develop this most important career building area.
Gary
I concur with your statements around professionalism. The instructor sets the stage for the class, the class can not be held accountable if the instructor does not follow the expectation.
Hi Deborah,
Good point. Survival skills, (career skills, soft skills) what ever they are called are essential for career success. They need to be taught in all phases of the courses.
Gary
Hi Danny,
Well said. I hope the 3Ms will be of value to you as you develop within the educational process.
Good teaching.
Gary
The new instructor is more concerned with curriculum,scheduling,and the other tangible elements.His early experiences with his student's successes(and failures) will be the key to unlock the connection to the 3M's.With experience the value of the 3M's becomes clearer.
Hi Lori,
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing a new instructor trying to develop expertise in the 3Ms?
Gary
Hi John,
Good point. Today a successful person needs to have several skill sets in order to be competitive in the work place. One of these skill set has to be what I call career or survival skills. The skills that have the person getting to work on time each day getting along with others and is neat clean and dressed for the job. If they don't have these skills no matter how skilled they are they aren't going to keep their jobs.
What are some strategies that you use to help them develop these survival skills?
Gary
Hi Jeffery,
Not only will they think more of you as a professional in their field but you will have fewer problems with classroom management as a result of their respect for you.
Gary
Hi Troy,
Great to hear. I compliment you on your professional approach to the classroom. I am sure your students enjoy working with and taking classes from you.
Being a professional is essential for training professionals.
Gary