How IT Can Better Handle the 3 Main Instructor Personalities

The Uninformed

Stephens and Moreau say the uninformed instructor doesn’t read his or her emails, and doesn’t make an effort to stay in the loop of technological changes.

The uninformed is often not against innovation, but is impatient while learning about new innovations, and fixes his or her focuses elsewhere.

Moreau says the uninformed is also one of the first people to place the blame of inattention on someone else, or fabricate excuses about why he or she didn’t know about a new technology implementation.

Stephens and Moreau act out a conversation between the “uninformed” instructor and IT.

“[They’ll say things like,] “I’ve never heard about this change,” or “I don’t have time to read all the stuff you send us,” or, “you need to find a better way to let people know,”” he says.

How to Work With the Uninformed

Stephens says IT can foster a positive relationship with the uninformed by considering what is the best way to contact them.

That way, IT members can guarantee the uninformed gets all the information he or she needs; then, no excuses will apply.

“Think, how can I personalize the communication to make sure they get it?” Stephens says. “Through text, a note under the door? It might take more effort on our part, but it’ll take less time to be proactive than to deal with a fallout.”

Stephens says advisory groups may also help the uninformed get caught up and strengthen his or her trust in IT.

“They’re there to provide you with feedback and make a more informed decision,” she says. “They allow you to demonstrate initiative, build trust, and allow many voices to be heard.”

Conclusion

Stephens says that no matter how IT chooses to communicate with any instructor personality, they should consider the term “the care and feeding of your faculty.”

She says IT should continually work towards bettering communication with a college. Doing so will bond IT and instructors together, and create a more peaceful learning environment for students.

“If we don’t pay attention to our faculty, we’ll be more disconnected from the academic mission and miss out on an opportunity to relationship build,” Stephens says.