Demonstration to start first class meeting.
In an undergraduate chemistry class, I had an instructor walk into class with a canister of liquid nitrogen and pour it out onto a plant on the floor. After the cloud of gas disappeared, he snapped off a bit of the plant and threw it onto the floor. We all watched in amazement as it shattered on the floor. Through this process, he never said a word. As soon as our oohs and ahs subsided he began presenting the course material. I have tried to adopt a similar (yet less dramatic) approach to the first class meeting. A simple demonstration of a task that the student will eventually become proficient at has served as a good tool to generate enthusiasm and get students in the mood for learning.
Demonstrations on the first day of class I think are a great idea. What I do is after attendance and brief introductions and making sure everyone is in the right class I have everyone get their safety glasses and we go out to the lab. I have an activity where they have to work together to identify and explain the workings of several components on an automobile. After giving the groups time to find these components I go from group to group and ask the members questions about the locations and the jobs of the components on their work sheet. At the end of this activity we return to the classroom I announce to the class that this was their first class lab and we continue our first day activities. This first day lab accomplishes three goals 1- Great ice breaker the students help each other out and those who know educate those who do not know and they engage in conversations on everything from their backgrounds to their futures 2- This activity dispels rumors about the class not having many out of classrooms labs 3- It allows the instructor (me) to find out the knowledge level of the class. I get a base line of where we are as a class. I think over time adult learners in college and career schools start avoiding the first day of class because they think they know exactly what is going to happen. This throws them a curve ball and adds a little wow factor to the day. Should every class start with a demo not necessarily but show every class start with a rehash of rules and regulations no.
Margaret, that is an excellent idea. I could see were a short video on how the information in the course has helped or changed someones life would be very motivating for the students.
Hi Margaret,
Great idea. You are helping to create and identification of your students with the people that they will be learning about in the upcoming course. Thanks for sharing this strategy.
Gary
I teach gerontology and often the students come with misconceptions of the older generation. Before I start with the usual syllabus review, etc, I play a video where 80+ seniors, one by one share a bit of their life. It appears to humanize them and facilitate the students' perception of who they will be learning about in the course.
Hi Erik,
Good point about relationships. Student rapport is critical to keeping the focus such that the student wants to do well and knows that you are approachable for questions and feedback when needed.
Gary
Drama. Get their attention. As a teacher you really are
giving a stage performance in your class. The best part
is not just performing in front of your class, but getting to
know them individually as the class moves forward.
Through careful examination of our data base, we have found out that sometimes the first day of class is an excuse for the students to have a three day week end. This makes it so important to have value on the first day of class. Scheduling a class in the lab and having different demonstrations and activities the student will find exciting and want to be engaged in will help with student retention on the first day.
Hi Cheryl,
Using these methods gives you a chance to be creative yourself plus allowing your students to bring their imaginations into the classroom. Most of the careers for which we train are in the service areas and as a result there is much problem solving involved. By helping to develop their creative skills you are preparing them for the world they are about to enter. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I like the idea of stimulating the student's imagination and creating drama. I'll try to incorporate these tools in my class as well. Thanks!
Cheryl
Hi Tim,
Thanks for sharing your concept of attention getting when starting a new course. This method really serves to get the attention of the students and it helps them to understand what is coming their way during the next few weeks. It is like fishing, you try to "hook" them by having an interesting opening activity or demonstration that will "reel" them in.
Gary
