offering a quick get to know you questions at beginning of course, the questions will pertain to knowledge you expect to cover, what additional courses have hey already completed, what their interests are and why they chose the course. This will allow me to open dialogue regarding interested and prior knowledge setting a tone of ease for students and building connections.
I like pre test, checking for understanding strategies and open discussions
I think by giving them a pop quiz on some of the basic content you will cover. This will allow you to see where the class is in terms of what your class covers.
Well its really important to know the weakness of the student. A pretest, a small essay, comparison tables help to see weakness point on student & what strategies u will used to target does points.
Some of this information can be gathered during class discussions, and by making sure all students participate to the extent they are comfortable and demonstrate the depth of knowledge they can produce verbally. Sometimes this can be achieved having students gather into groups and talk to each other in an informal manner about what they know. Students are often more relaxed and also often anxious to prove themselves to each other. Other, often more complex knowledge and comprehension levels require more complex written assessments and performance test.
I use pre/post tests, these are a very good benchmark that can be used a starting point and a guide for content learned at the end of the course.
I take a few minutes to go around the room and have students introduce themselves and why they are taking the course. I ask what their previous work experience is and relate it to the courses they will be taking so they can see that a previous job can help them with their new career. I also developed a PPT explaining my teaching philosophy and background and expectations for the program.
William,
The information that you receive from the writing samples, can be used to further understand student preferences during discussions (i.e. perhaps there is a student that reacts negatively to "sarcasm").
Tremayne Simpson
I like to have my students complete a piece of "sample writing" for me on the first day of class. I give them several topics to choose from, or they can pick their own. By reading their sample writing I can get a grasp on their ability level. It always surprises me how much I learn about them from this exercise. While the sample topics are very general, some students really open up and dicuss serious issues that they are either currently experiencing or have happened in their past. This is a good way to not only identify prior knowledge and skill level, but it also helps me as an instructor to know where my students are coming from.
I also ask about their background and experience. In my field some students can relate more to one subject or another. I also give many examples to my experience so they can remember examples of the subject.
On the first day of class after I have introduced myself and talked about my experience in the field and why I now have decided to teach, I always have my students stand up and introduce themselves to everyone in the class and have them say where they are from, where they work, why they chose to study cardiovascular sonography and describe any experiences they have had that influenced them to make the decision to come to school. It usually gives quite a bit of insight on each student.
Normally on the first day of class I will ask the students if they have used the course software and how well they know the features and uses of it. That way I know what I need to spend more time on when teaching, and what can just be gone over as a review.
kesia,
This is an interesting concept. Do you deduct points for students that elect to not participate in the oral quiz?
Tremayne Simpson
I would perform an oral class quiz. During class, I would ask questions at random about the chapter, and allow the students to raise their hands if they know the answer. I would also be taking mental notes on which students where not participating with this activity.
nick,
I am happy that you were able to implement some of the suggested assessments, that were provided in this training courses. As an instructor it is important to have a diverse set of assessment tools. Since students have multiple learning styles, it is important to use various assessments in order to measure their understanding of the course learning objectives.
Tremayne Simpson
I have been already using most of the info provided in this training but some of the most effective methods I have used is to quiz, use projects,and testing.
Mary,
Beginning with the group discussion, is a great way to "break the ice" in the classroom. Once the students have established a level of comfort, they can focus on learning about the direction of the course and expectations.
Tremayne Simpson
For me, since I am also a therapist, I have my students move their chairs into a circle and we have a "meet and greet" roundtable discussion about their prior experiences/education. This gives me alot of insight into their study habits, their level of education and motivation.
A group discussion on the first day is nice, we go around the room and each person introduces themself, and tells the group where they are from, what their work experience and education is etc. I also give a non graded test to gauge where they are as a group, so I can cover missed information right away if I need to.
Gail,
Since you begin the course with a quiz, do you provide your students with any "disclaimers", to appease any potential, test anxiety?
Tremayne Simpson
