Matching the expectations of students

One must admit that the teacher is the pivotal point in the system of education. Trends in education have undergone a change in the last few decades. Accordingly, the role of a teacher has changed. The mind-set of students has also changed. Students have become acutely aware of the competition in the world. They are more ambitious and work hard to achieve their career goals. In order to fulfill their ambitions in life, they know that education is important for them. They focus on their aims in life and join colleges with certain expectations. If they do not get what they expect, it is natural for them to react strongly. After all, they dedicate a certain period of their life to achieve something; they pay huge amounts of fees and are prepared to work hard. All the efforts are wasted if students do not get what they want.

10 things that enable teachers to match expectations of their students:

• Students attend classes so that they can get something valuable. They do not want the teachers to spoon feed them; at a higher education level, it is enough if teachers show the direction in which to proceed. Teachers must tell students how and where they can get information about their subject. Teachers must give details of resources.
• College students are grown up and wish to be treated with due respect. The spirit of youth adds strength to their ego and a little harsh word or humiliation in public especially among their colleagues can hurt students intensely. Their age is responsible for their impatience and aggressive nature; teachers must understand their psychology and be very patient and controlled.
• Teachers must go to the class well-prepared. Students must not get an impression that the time in the class session is wasteful. If the teacher has good knowledge of the subject, he can engage the students in an interesting discussion. Teachers must give the students an opportunity to express their views. Instead of a lecture method which is one-way, students prefer an open discussion.
• Teachers must show their passion for learning, knowledge an involvement in the subject. Teachers who are detached and disinterested cannot expect students to develop interest in the subject.
• Teachers should not pose as if they have complete knowledge. False pride and superiority complex is something that college students do not appreciate. Teachers must be practical, open minded and modest.
• Teachers must keep a distance from the students and be reserved. They must not be very free with students. Especially, they must not show a bias or prejudice regarding a particular student or students. Teachers must practice equality, treat all students in the same way, and have a democratic attitude.
• If a student does something noteworthy, the teacher must remember to praise the student and appreciate his performance. A little good word from the teacher is very encouraging for the students.
• Teachers must not criticize students harshly. Even if they have to reprimand a student, teachers should call the individual student and speak to him privately. Scolding students is the presence of their friends is very humiliating for students.
• Teachers can ask a few personal questions without sounding very inquisitive. If students feel that the teacher has a genuine interest in his/her life, it helps to promote positive relationship between students and teachers which can be beneficial.
• Last but not the least, a college teaching-learning session must be a vital, enthusiastic interactive session that stimulates and motivates students. It must be a healthy exchange of ideas, encouraging a little competitive spirit, yet a team endeavor that is focused on gaining knowledge.

Teaching college students is a challenge for teachers. If they wish to remain in the good books of students, they must meet and match the expectations of students.

Sports Management: A New Concept in Management

When one thinks of a course in management, one thinks about business and related issues like marketing, HR, Finance, IT and so on. No doubt a business cannot run successfully without management. A management course trains students to manage business related issues in a systematic way, based on sound principles and theories. Business cannot succeed with haphazard, unplanned management. The scope and demand of management courses is increasing, considering the need for a good system for effective management. There is nothing in this world where management is not required. At home, the woman in the household manages the family. There is a management system complete with hierarchy in every organization small or big. It has been realized that although the principles of management are common to all fields, a specialization is required for each field. For example, managing an educational institution requires some special skills and knowledge that are far different from those required for managing a poultry farm. This is an age of specialization. More and more specialized courses in management in different fields are coming up. One such recent concept is sports management.

Who is a sports manager?

A sports manager is a person who ensures that everything that takes place off the field runs smoothly. The sports manager is in charge of the entire sports related activity that takes place within his authority. He acts as a co-ordinator, planner and supervisor, all in one. The sportsmen concentrate on practice and participating without having to bother about other practical issues like transport arrangements, preparation of courts, maintenance of the ground, sport equipment, purchases, repairs and numerous other little but important issues without which sports events cannot take place. Sports managers are in charge of the basic organization and scheduling of their clients. Both individual athletes and entire organizations hire sports managers to see that everything off the field goes smoothly. Sports managers are different from sports agents; sports agents are concerned with contracts for their clients. Managers are responsible for the training and fitness of sportsmen.

Duties of a sports manager depend upon the client. A client may be an individual athlete or an entire baseball team. A sports manager is responsible for the physical and mental well-being of the clients. The manager hires appropriate trainers, plans practice schedules, and procures necessary equipment. It is the manager’s duty to see that all the needs of sportsmen are provided for. The manager is the mediator or a kind of representative for the client. He deals with the media agencies and plans interviews or reports of sports events. He is an agent between the owner and players. He also has to resolve conflicts amongst players or between the owners and sportsmen.

Scope for jobs

With increasing sports activities in the world, sports managers have a very bright future. Young people who have a passion for games are the best candidates for sports management. Those who are themselves sportsmen but do not wish to confine themselves only to play, can go for the course. Those who play games know the insides of sports activities. They have an understanding of the mentality, expectations and problems faced by sportsmen. They can truly play their part as managers to the satisfaction of players. They can pursue a sport as a hobby and the career of a sports manager, thus finely combining their passion with career. Sports managers are hired at a wide variety of venues including academic institutions, amateur and professional leagues, sporting goods companies, and even sports marketing firms. The managerial position is respectable. The minimum qualification is graduation, hence, some level of knowledge and maturity is expected from candidates.

If you are looking for something different, something uncommon, and if you have a liking for sports, you can think of this career option: MBA in Sports Management.

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