Ashley,
This is a good way to get student involvement and buy in from the beginning of the class. Thanks for sharing this idea.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Seth,
What kind of format do you use to solicit their responses?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use a presentation I created to relate what they are learning to the following categories: professionalism, safety, communication, technical skills and the client/patient goals. Everything I teach can be evaluated as impacting one or more of these areas. When they are confused about something I relate it back to one or more of these categories. I have expectations that they will behave professionally, meaning being on time and prepared. I expect that they will be safe in the lab. I expect that they communicate effectively with me about concerns, about difficulties and also about successes. I expect that they can demonstrate adequately the techniques they are learning. And finally that they will have a clear understanding of their patient/clients goal.
I always have a Q&A session, even as time has moved past the first day, they might not have thought of every question. I also use a guide to sucess that we cover and they sign and it also had additional information about what I expect. I also have us do what the expect from me.
I go over all course objectives clearly.
I do go over the syllabus the first day and also go over what I expect of the class, but I also give the students a chance to go up to the board and write down what they would like to make as rules and expectations of the class.
I simply ask them what they expect out of the class
Jennifer,
These Q&A sessions can be extremely valuable for students as they get a chance to clarify and/or learn something that they didn't get the first time or would like to explore further. It is a win win session for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kristy,
You are going to really like the results you get from using this format to introduce the content of your syllabus.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Autumn,
Good way to inform the students as to how the course is going to function. By you sharing the expectations of the course in a clear and concise way the students will leave knowing what they need to do to be successful in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Question and answer seems to work well. Making sure no one has a vacant stare is important too, sometimes they aren't even paying attention, so if you go around the room asking a few questions students start to pay attention and usually understand the expections better.
That is a great idea! I have had students tell me - even after I have reviewed the syllabus thoroughly in the first class - that they didn't know they were going to 'have to do that.' I like how the quiz will push them to really understand the expectations for the course. Definitely doing this for my next course!
Kristy Newman
At the beginning of each new class I go over with the class my expectations and the expectations of the school (grade point averages, dress code, etc.). I have a check list to make sure that I go over each point and always ask the students if anything is unclear or if they have any questions.
Lairlyn,
This is an important learning area for students. Many of them have very poor time management skills so they can use help in learning how to use their time more effectively.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We provide not only a written student guide that lays out the entire course but spend an entire morning doing nothing but an orientation of the course that covers the "method to the madness". We constantly refer to the student guide and provide guidance to ensure student expectations are met.
When going over the expectations for the course I show examples of prior students' work and then talk about how those examples met the expectations. So essentially I go over the expectations twice, once as an introduction and then again with an example to clarify, then I see if anyone has any questions that were not answered on the matter.
Given examples as I go along, eliminates the misunderstanding that reading or listening to instruction may provide.
I emphasised the importance of time management. Plan all their personal appointments that will not interfere with their attendance or missing quizzes or project submission.
Scott,
Like the way you are comprehensive in your laying out the course expectations and requirement. This will reduce student frustrations in relation to claiming they don't know what they are suppose to do or where the course is going.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Maurice,
This helps to shift the accountability for what is in the syllabus to the student. A brief quiz gives them into the syllabus at a much deeper level and this way you know they have reviewed all of the sections.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
