Dr. Jeffries--
You bring up several great points, especially the one about being able to sleep at night! There is a difference between equality and equity which many of us miss. Being 'fair' doesn't always mean the student (or employee) gets what they want. We all know that there are times when what we want isn't what's best for us.
Susan
Customer service in both climates are important. making sure the delivery of the material and meeting the learning styles needs are critical
The similarities are that both require structure. Expectations are listed for both areas. The classroom and a business will have objectives and goals. These are measured in the classroom by attendance, exams, homework, etc. In a business they are measured by financials
Success measurement for a business is from product quality and quantity, in the classroom education is measured on quality and to a point quantity.
In a word, yes.
We set expectations for students based on the real world of their potential careers. We are an allied healthcare institution, therefore our students wear a uniform of scrubs similar to what their profession wears. Our guidelines of conduct and other aspects of the dress code come directly from those of local hospitals and clinics.
We tell students we are preparing them for a career and always reference back to the 'why' of their education when reinforcing policies. For example, when students ask if they can leave class early, we ask them if they would ask their employer if they could leave work early.
Success for both our students and employees starts with showing up. It also means doing your work well, conscientiously, an diligently.
Having a positive, can-do attitude translates to success in any environment--school or work.
I think running a classroom and a business are quite similar. However, when running a business you do have one advantage, that their paycheck depends on following directives. Sometimes if a class is filled with not very motivated students, you would wish that grades were as big a motivating factor.
Robert,
True! I guess I'd go back to the students individually and find out why they enrolled. They must have been motivated at the moment to change something in their lives. Perhaps they just need a reminder.
Susan Backofen
