Instructor Roles

In courses, instructors fill two distinct roles:

• Helping students learn
  • Explaining content, rules, policies
  • Answering questions
  • Providing feedback (formative assessment)
  • Mentoring
• Upholding disciplinary and college standards
  • Grading (summative assessment)
  • Enforcing policies, rules of course, college

Before assignment, problem set, paper submitted: Helping mode

• Instructor wants to help
• Questions usually welcome
  • In most settings, students are encouraged to ask questions
  • Depending upon context, instructor may or may not be able to answer
• If assignment unclear or if student has some confusion, student should ask.
• If deadline is approaching and more time needed, student should discuss situation with instructor.

After work submitted: Assessment modes

• Often instructor will provide commentary about work supplied.
• Often instructor will determine a grade.
• Normally, instructor will assume student has followed policies and procedures.
  • Student has done the work submitted
    (your name on an assignment implies you did it)
  • If you worked with a group, and the entire group developed the assignment,
    • all names should be listed on the assignment, and
    • all people involved have full responsibility.
  • Except as otherwise noted (e.g., in citations, acknowledgments)

created 17 August 2013 last revised 20 August 2013

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