Set guidelines immediately
I am big on setting guidelines on the first day of class, whether it be regarding academic or behavioral. It feel it sets the tone for the seriousness of the course and how I expect my students to act. Specifically I go over the class sylubus and the school's student expectation guidelines. I'm sure it get tiring for repeat students but at least I know they are aware of school standards.
Hi Mark,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with the participants. Good way to get the students engaged in the class right from the beginning.
Gary
I'm big on setting the guidelines also, I follow the schools prereqs to the tee and outline them as drawn up by our schools guidlines. What I find that works well for me is to bring the students into the discussion as to how they would run things if it were up to them to set school policy.The disscussion gets them thinking about reality and not a fairy tale of how to run an education facility. We usually come to the conclusion that rules must be in place and inforced to have any type of structured education. They feel that I have taken the time to let their thought's out and that they came to this conclusion on their own. Policy is now easier to follow more than ever.
MS. Flores,
I agree with you whole-heartedly. I find that the instructors which I held in the highest esteem were those that put their foot down from the get-go.
To be sure, many thought them to be 'way to strict', but I beleive that it's easier to loosen up a little after having your students' respect, rather than trying to cultivate it after being too lax and buddy-buddy on the first day.
Hi Ronnie,
I agree as well about setting the guidelines and polices the first day. It just makes things go so much easier after that because everyone understands exactly what is expected and required.
Gary
I agree it is very important on the first day to set guidelines as to what is to be expected in the class.
Hi Richard,
You make a good point. Not only do the students get to know each other, they get to know that their instructor has extensive background experiences to help them learn in the course to come.
Gary
The instructor usually takes a few minutes to give his background and then we ask each student to take a moment to share background and interests.
The instructor will usually share more background experience as method of relating some of the info to a real field experience.
Richard Ullery
Hi Richard,
Sounds like a good approach to getting the class started. What to you do in the way of introductions to help the students to know each other better?
Gary
Our sturcture is to spend about one hour or so going over guidelines, tests, policies, safety grading procedures lab procedures and such. We also hand out the course sylubus and course books. This provides us with a good starting point to help tie in why this course is important in their program.
Hi Kimerly,
You are right about this. What are some of the strategies you use when you are setting your guidelines to make sure your students are clear on the class requirements?
Gary
Guidelines, I believe set the tone for a good learning environment right from the start.
Hi Jennifer,
How do you share the requirements and guidelines of your course with your students?
Gary
Setting guidelines at the start is best and sets up the classroom for clear communication.
I agree that being up front with course content, guidelines, expectations and performance standards is vital setting the table for learning. This preparation should be as complete as possible in order to not appear to change the game plan by adding on later details or caveats on a random basis
Hi Denise,
Good strategy. This way the students have the expectations in mind as they get settled into the operations of the class.
Gary
I feel that it is important to let the students know what you expect of them and what they will be be expecting of you. I set the guidlines of professionalism out. Then we can spend time getting to know one another
I do the same, sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt; if it doesnt it is usually with a student that will go against guidelines no matter what.
Hi Selena,
I used to write on the board before starting the class the objectives of the course for the particular day and then I follow point by point the plan.
Viorel
I also set the guidelines and expectations immediately. Then there are no misunderstandings later on.
