IS YOUR COURSE INSTRUCTOR A MANAGER

1. Is your course instructor a manager? Discuss in terms of managerial functions, managerial roles, and skills.Course instructors (in contrast to individuals who hold positions such as department head) are not usually classified as managers. In most situations, a course instructor does not fall within the definition of a manager when utilizing managerial functions, mainly because students are clients rather than employees. In some cases, an instructor has little input about course content or how itis to be taught. In these instances, the instructor makes few managerial decisions .In terms of managerial roles, course instructors may be involved in some ways in the interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles. For example, a course instructor could be seen as a liaison (interpersonal role), a monitor and disseminator (both informational roles), and a disturbance handler and negotiator (both decisional roles).Regarding managerial skills, course instructors certainly need technical skills—knowledge aboutthe latest research and conceptual developments in a particular discipline. They also need significant human skills as they interact with their students. To a limited extent, the instructor utilizes conceptual skills as courses are planned or as departmental curriculums are debated. (LO: