Setting Expectations
How can you facilitate an understanding on the part of your students of what you expect of them?
It is common that on the first day of class I like to review in-depth course expectations for attendance,class work, and homework, through the use of both the syllabus and examples of students who have achieved success in that particular class. I often give a preview of the midterm and final expectations and offer open means of communication if the students feel the need to discuss the expectations in more depth.
When teaching I first try to figure out what they know. The next is to find out what type of learners they are because my teaching style needs to reach the different learning styles students have. If I expect them to learn I need to meet them where they are and teach them the way they are able to learn. It takes a little more work but it's worth them gaining a better understanding sooner than later. I remind students to ask questions if they don't understand. If I expect them to learn I have to be able to go the extra mile to teach them. Gaining their trust is another thing that I develop so that they know they can come to me to get help with understanding the assignments. Students often won't ask their instructor if they don't trust them and they don't think they are willing to go the extra mile to help them succeed.
IN THE CASE OF NEW STUDENTS, HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY AND OPENESS CAN REDUCE THE LEVEL OF ANXIETY TO A MANAGEABLE LEVEL.
When I meet my students for the first time, I introduce myself and give them the impression that I am there to help them achieve their immediate learning objectives. I emphasize to them that in return, I expect them to follow the syllabus and the provided course expectations to meet the grading standards and achieve a good learning experience. I also express that in addition to learning and completing the class with good grades, I wish for them to understand the course material to move them up in their career goals.
Hi Stephanie,
Your way of opening a new class is a good one. You give the students the expectations, requirements, and polices of the class. This reduces student frustration and enables you to then start sharing information about the course content.
Gary
I agree with what everyone else has said about modeling the professionalism you want from students. That modeling behavior must continue throughout the course. When learning how to teach, I had an instructor tell me to do the work with the students. You'd be amazed at how much they learn from seeing you model the work you expect them to do. I teach English, so for me this means researching, writing, revising, editing...and letting my students help me correct my work. It shows, for example, that I expect a rough draft to look rough and I expect them to do some work between the rough and final drafts. This way we get to re-visit the expectations throughout the term, and students don't get the excuse that "they didn't know what was expected." I haven't done this in awhile, but I think I should start again.
The first day, since my school has long class sessions, I can use a short lesson to help establish expectations. Usually, this is an overview or introduction to the material, but it helps students see the type of work required for the course. It shows them what my teaching style is like and what kind of work they will need to do in the class to succeed. We can discuss what notes they should be taking and how the lesson compares to future lessons; the lesson also serves as an opportunity for students to ask any questions they might have about how the course will be taught, making the future lessons run a little more smoothly.
Hi Andrea,
You make a number of good points about how to approach the instructional process. By providing your students with a clear picture of the course's policies, expectations and requirements you are laying out what is going to happen and how the students can be successful.
Gary
Being organized and clear for all expectations. This includes the course as a whole, individual assignment due dates, rules of the classroom, etc. I find that reviewing the syllabus or assignment outline verbally helps with those that retain things through audio. I also like to hand out a copy for those that need to be able to read it while I discuss it. In addition I make whatever document we are covering available to them electronically so they can access it in case they misplace their original copy. I allow for any questions and make sure I give an ample amount of time for covering the materials.
I believe that it is important to be clear, firm, yet adaptable at the same time. An instructor could have certain expectations of their students, but those expectations could well in fact be too high. Hence, an instructor should be able to adjust and adapt his/her expections at any given time.
Hi Michael,
This is good advice for all instructors. Use the exam feedback as an opportunity to refresh in the minds of the students what is expected and how they should be progressing in the class. You are right when they see the results of their first exam (good or bad) they are ready to listen.
Gary
Almost every thing that we do has some impact on the student's expectations about the course... The first day of class is always important, but I find that it is necessary to verbalize the homework, attendance, and test expectations at the beginning and end of every class, even though it is also specifically stated in the syllabus!
Hi Shaun,
Good plan for showing students what a person going into their career field should look like. This is an essential part of the career development process.
Gary
I agree with modeling the level of professionalism expected from them in the field. One of the things I do is treat each one like a customer and I am in thier house explaining the problem and fix to them.
Hi Mindy,
This also helps with reducing stress if the students know from the beginning of the class the expectations, requirements and polices.
Gary
I always try to set my expectations the first day and let students know that the same rules apply for everyone. If students know what to expect from you they have a better chance of succeeding.
Hi Nominda,
Great way to get the class off to a good start. This way there will be no misunderstandings. The expectations are clear.
Gary
Hi Nominda,
You make a number of very good points about how instructors need to conduct themselves. To be anything less than professional is cheating the students of their education. We need to always keep this in mind.
Gary
The best way to do it is to tell them on the first day of class. Students and instructors need to have an understanding of what each expects on each other. They need to lay it out and compromise, if they need to, so they can head on the same direction.
"They talk the talk but don't walk the walk themselves. We have to be professional in all that we do". This is really true, Dr. Gary. Being professional means ready to do our job. Students expect their instructors ready to teach. In the same token, I expect my students ready to learn. If the instructor gets in class looking tired, sleepy, and yawning, I don't think it is fair to expect students to stay awake in class.
