First Day of Class
You must be well prepared to teach this class. Your students are looking at you as a mentor to what they want to learn. You better have new things for students to learn or they will not respect you as an instructor.
You are absolutely correct. The information imparted by the instructor must be accurate, with references. The instructor has the responsibility of cross-referencing information to ensure that it is the best practice or most up-to-date information on the topic.
Harriett Russell
Dunn,
I agree that the instructor must come to the class prepared. This requires early preparation and planning. As you mentioned the instructor " better have new things for the students to learn", I will add that the instructor should come with challenge questions or concepts that stimulate the learning process...students may already have knowledge of the subject, but the issue for the instructor is...how can the instructor present the information to promote critical thinking?
Harriett Russell
I let them know exactly what is expected of them, then I also have them give me some of their expectations. The expectations that they want are usually really close to what I expect also.
The first day is very important. You set the standards of whats expected from your students. Its the correct time (day one) to let your students know where you stand on policies and proceedures,And a checklist makes this process much easier. The time to find out you forgot a policy is not when someone has just crossed that line.
I think first day impression is very important, getting there early on the first day, and having the environment ready for the student shows responsibility and will show the students you’re serious about their learning.
I have never been an instructor in a classroom format, what should I expect on the first day?
We also hand out a task tracking sheet that helps the students gauge how much work they are going to have to do as well as the amount of information covered in this course. This clears up questions they have on expectations the first day. They get what needs to be done and to what degree of accuracy.
That is absolutly correct. In order to lead we must set the example. By properly explaining every detail of the course,and going over the grading systems they then know that they are there for proper instruction,no secret agenda,and are all equal. I find that this playing field gives me the best advantage as score keeper.
Being firm about the student rules and what is expected from the students is a must in any class. Staying firm on the rules is a great way to keep control of the class for the duration of the class.
The first day of class, you must set expectations. To do this, you must arrive on time, be professionally dressed, demonstrate knowledge of your subject, and, above all, show a desire to understand each student in your class as an individual and not simply as someone whose work you will grade the rest of the semester.
I have found that some of the students are very sharp in the subjects that I teach, and I have found that a lot of the information that they know is hear-say, mis-information and some times what their friend has told them. I try to give the facts on the various sections both from a book level and personal knowledge. If the students ask a question that I can not answer, I tell them that I do not know the answer, but I will findo out and get back to them. And then I ensure that I do. This has given me credibility in the eyes of the class, so as an instructor you can't know every answer, but do not ever make up something, lie or try to cover up another way. Find the answer, let the students that ask know the answer and tell the complete class what you found, where you found it and the resources used. I usually can learn something almost every class, whether it is a new way of looking at something, or even a new way of doing something. This makes the students feel good about themselves also, they taught the teacher, it helps with their self esteem.
be professional on your delivery be precise and give correct answers to questions you are asked. challenge the students to be the best they can be!
you must know the subject and teach it at a base level,
The subject matter and how it is desceminated is entirely up to the individual instructor, all items of your course would be new things for students on the first day of class.
Being a mentor is more than just handing out new information and explaining that information.
Being a mentor and a person that has earned the right to teach a course has everything to do with preperation and confidence.
A good instructor can easily explain away any mistakes he/she makes if they are properly prepared and confident in the material that the are teaching.
That's why the first day is crucial in setting the Atmosphere for the class, and the only way you can do that is to have all your ducks in a row.
Any gray areas allow opportunity for students to undermine you as an instructor and cause an imbalance in a perceived teaching format.
Many students are opportunist and are constantly looking for the loose chink in the armor, but I find it is easier not to sway on your confidence in knowing the subject you teach, but to freely admit to mistakes because we all make them.
If you appeal to student on that level and make them aware that you are disciplined in your teaching methods but like them are prowned to mistakes on occassion, then they will be more receptive and more forgiving.
As to students who persist in negative assertions what I find best is to ask them specifically what point they are trying to make and let them make it so all of the class can get the benefit of their input.
Usually if the same student persists and I allow them to continue with their input until another student objects, usually because they want to hear the instructors thoughts and not another student.
Eventually students as a group will decide who they like to listen to or to be taught by and with a little personal consultation with the know it all in the class you get your point accross with very little effort on the part of the instructor.
All of this and more can be contained and outlined on the first day of class.
Phil
Mark, you are correct. Not every student comes into class with absolutly no knowledge of the subject you are teaching. Be prepared for the ones that do!
Frank i have found this to be vary true
You must remember that this is also you first day in class with them and that you must evaluate how you will teach or present information for the remainder of the class.
Always be prepared and be organized.
you have to be sharpe in your course , you don't ever tell something thats not true
