Missing Their First Day of Class
I have notice there is always a few students who miss they first day. They end up being the ones who never go the extra mile or who just barley pass. How do you get through to these students. I tell them that if you start off with a bad imprssion or on the wrong foot you may never get caught up or you will be looked upon as the black sheep of the group. This is not only here at school but any were you go in life.
Hi Hans,
First day attendance is a common problem for many instructors. There is no simple answer to getting the students there the first day. I do believe that you should have some first day activities that allows the students to get right into the area. Meaning a simple exercise or activity that gets them using tools or objects plus some show and tell to get them excited about the upcoming weeks of instruction.
For those students that don't come the first day because they feel nothing is going to go on, you can give them the syllabus and materials but then go on. If you spend too much time getting them caught up then the second day becomes the first day all over again and use lose valuable class time. Also, it is not fair to those students that did come the first day to sit through the same thing a second time. I also put points to the activities I use the first day so there is a reward for the students that come. You will find that it won't be long before you develop a reputation among the students that you expect them to be there the first day and if not there are consequences if not.
Good luck with your efforts.
Gary
I do this also, there always seems to be that student that thinks the first day is a waste of time. On the next day when he or she shows up I try and talk to them one on one to explain the importance of being there on the first day. Also to bring them up to date with material missed along with handouts and stress the importance of good attendance through out the entire course so they can get all the information available.
Thanks Allen! It gets back again to the three age old student questions: What do I need to know? Why is it important to me? Now, what do I do with it?
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge Facilitator
We all have experianced this far too often.I have the same students for up to three courses in a row and have found if I touch base with them on thier first day,and bring them up to date on what they missed,along with any hand outs.I find in many cases the student shows up the first day the next course after showing the value of what they had missed.
I think its a great idea to talk with a student who miss's the first day of a class, and try to help change his or her outlook about there education.
I face this situation almost every class, and I found that sometimes is the attitude of the student and sometimes by approaching the student and asking him some questions you will find an area you could be of inspiration to change this negative attitude to a positive one.
