Normative controls
Are these really useful and how?
I teach two sections of Career Management, in which the emphasis is preparation for a new career. We spend most of our time talking about norms because they are the basis of control and personal responsibility in the work place. From that point it is a short hop to those norms reflected in their classes and what they say about the student's potential in placement (which I am also one of those in control of.)
Roy, I think this is a very intersting question. I see it as critical to the transition from HS to college and career level. In most of your learning up to age of 18, you are in a system built around simple rewards, predictable punishments. When you enter the workforce - you become part of a culture where you learn "this is how you behave, this is what you're expected to do in order to get along with others, be productive and succeed. Maing the link between responsibility inthe classroom adn responsibility in life - that's the challenge.
Hi Leonard,
It certainly is challening, this is the reason we have to teach our students as much about the real world as possible.
Patricia
I agree that this is something new to learn especially for younger adult learners. I also feel it can be challenging to get across at times. I teach nursing and had a difficult time in the past trying to get my students to understand the "normative" behavior for a nurse is having this fundamental base of knowledge to give adequate if not good nursing care. They just wanted to pass the class.
Normative control can be best implemented as a truth or consequence of a certain behavior when applied to the real world. Adult learners especially experienced learners can relate to this control very well.For example: A student must come to class on time; in workplace when practiced would mean recognition, maybe cash incentive, plus point for promotion. When not practiced and abused would mean dollar(s) deducted from paycheck, warning, or even termination from post.
Hi Carrie,
I preach this all the time. Passing the class is important, but it is more important to know what you are doing because one mistake on a patient can possibly kill the patient.
Patricia
Normative controls are very important and useful. Attendance and punctuality are required in the work place and the classromm. Both places have "rewards" and "punishment". In the classroom, the rewards are recognitions that can find their way on to a resume. Punishment - bad grades. I try to show how the bad grades cycle can be likened to ubruptly-ended employment.
Workers respond more consitently to normative rewards; shouldn't our adult learners be subject to the same standard?
John Chovan
