Healthy Post-Secondary Classrooms

 At the beginning of my graduate degree choice, I was 100% certain I wanted to teach Higher Education (post secondary). Throughout these past five months, I met many other students who have made my “clear path” blurry. I am now torn between wanting to teach ETEC college classes, and becoming an elementary school librarian. These are two polar opposite jobs! After this semester, I will be lacking two classes to complete my degree. I have checked with advisors and my best path (financially and educationally) is to graduate and then get my library certification. I could change my mind by May, and not spend money (7 classes worth) on a certificate that I might never use. For the purpose of identifying trends with instructional design and technology, I will focus mainly on higher education.

The health professions follow an altruistic outline for caregivers called the Hippocratic Oath. When teaching college students, students who PAY for their education, I feel that an oath similar to this could be beneficial in student productivity and communication.

 

The Hippocratic Oath was put in place for healthcare professionals to maintain a set Code of Conduct. The oath provides guidelines for people who have chosen healthcare careers to abide in order for their patients to feel as comfortable, trusting and respected as possible. The main focus of these guidelines is to hold the professionals accountable for their actions and teach them that they need to have strong interpersonal and communications skills in order to perform their job completely.

In a post-secondary classroom, a professor could not only uphold a set of rules such as these, but post them online (or discuss them) the first day of class. The student could sign or e-sign a contract stating that they will be constructive and compassionate towards their classmates. Many students are afraid (in K-12 as well) of interacting with others or the teacher in classrooms. They are afraid of rejection, or being misunderstood. In many situations, it is easier to stay silent than offer an opinion.

 

The fuel behind learning, is interaction. This is a critical element that cannot be left out of classrooms, digital especially! The class oath would be inviting and uplifting, and the teacher would be expected to abide by it as well. In healthcare professions, prior to becoming a “professional,” students are taught the techniques of “care”. In my classroom, students would be TAUGHT how to interact. I would be very involved in the classroom discussions and maybe even organize and the first study group. The professors have to be the leaders of character and expected actions in the educational environment. Etiquette is the key that many people forget until it might be too late, and hurtful criticism has been spewed.     

 

.. These are just a few thoughts and ideas I am excited to explore and refine. J