Teaching on Day 1
Our class schedule is once/week for 3 hours. Based on the syllabus, I have a chapter of information to cover on the first day in order to keep the rest of the class days on track.
Is this a good idea, or would the students appreciate a "teaching-free" first day to get oriented with each other, the class room, the syllabus, etc...?
Laurie,
This is a form of pretesting in that you are trying to establish a baseline of understanding with your new students. I have a pretest that I give and then we discuss the results so I can find out what they know and where I need to customize my instructional delivery and content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I basically did a review on the first day, to see where they were.
Joseph,
Good luck and I wish you the best on your next start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like this method. I think I'll try this on my next start. Thanks for the suggestion.
Everett,
I teach three hour one meeting a week classes as well. My style is not to do a chapter the first class meeting but to do introductions, an ice breaker and then review the syllabus. Take a break and then I do a pretest activity to get a baseline on the students. We then discuss the results and due a Q&A session. This is like chapter one but is an activity rather than a lecture. This way I don't overwhelm them but give them an overview of what is to come and get them excited about what they are going to be learning. I find that is enough for the first night.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
