Being creative fun professional and caring but...
I couldn't agree more about the nature of a successful classroom setting.
I always try to reinvent myself and not follow old patterns. A classroom is never a one-size-fits-all.
However, there are times when being nice and creative is not enough. Especially if there are (and there are) students that for some reasons learned that in order to succeed, all they have to do is please their teachers.
At some point the instructor must reflect not only a flexible and knowledgeable academic authority but also a metaphor for the industry.
Students in a trade school setting must understand that the industry will not wait for them, so along with being respectful, cheering, and attentive, an instructor must be able to demonstrate a reflection of the real world to the students. Especially the ones that are still not ready to face the real world.
In my experience I found that I sometimes needed to "get down to business" and give a, perhaps cold, reality slap..
What do you people think?
Hi Eitan,
I agree with you. One of the realities that I have attempted to instill in my students is the need for professionalism in the classroom, as this is imperative in the workplace. Granted, we still have a good time in class, however, the students need to be prepared for the career world, where professionalism is demanded and expected.
We, as instructors experienced in the real world, need to remind our students about what is required for success in the real world. Its not only about the material taught in our classrooms, but its the commitment to being on time and meeting deadlines on assignments.
I often make my class fun and start out with a humorous "Irrational Thought" or anecdote, but at times I need to reign in the class with the cold dose of reality talk too!
