Day One... Expectations
Class begins with a greeting. I introduce myself and provide a brief biography. I then ask each of the student to introduce themselves. I like to know where they're from and what program they are taking. After the introductions are over everyone is a bit more at ease. I then begin to explain the expectations in the class. this falls into 2 catagories. The first being expected professional behavior. The second being what is expected of their technical skill to pass the class. Setting the expectations on day one establishes the appropriate tone for the remainder of the class.
Hi Robert,
Thank you for sharing this cell phone strategy. This is a common and ongoing challenge for instructors. As there is no one specific way of handling it we need to be on the look out for ideas that might work in our individual settings.
Gary
Hello Elizabeth!
I can relate to you with the cell phone struggle. I just wanted to respond and let you know a way that has worked for me. During the first day I tend to make it public knowledge that I myself have a cell phone, I lay it in an area not accessible to me as I tell my students that I will have free time later to take any calls and nothing is more important to me than they are. This respect seems to be contagious; I have found that I get this respect returned. Its kind of like reverse psychology. I tried other methods of deterring cell phone use in my class, such as lecturing the importance of attention; nothing has worked as well as my being an example. Hope this helps you.
it is easier to be strict at first then ez up later then trying to be there freinds fist and then trying to law the law down
Hi Elizabeth,
You are correct about the teacher taking control. Someone has to be in charge and I as a teacher like it to be me. So by setting a professional atmosphere and letting students know expectations plus professional behavior you the teacher can be the one in charge person.
As an instructor I will treat my students as professionals but in return I expect them to act as adults when they don't I immediately address the situation so I can maintain the kind of classroom environment needed for learning success.
Gary
I believe that it is imperative from day 1 that as a teacher I take control of the class. I have taken so many classes where the students take over the instructor. Students will chat while the teacher is trying to lecture, cell phones go off, and it is a struggle for the rest of the students to hear what the teacher is saying. I have mentioned to the teachers that I cannot focus on her/his lecture due to the side conversations and nothing is done. I think these disruptions show a lack of respect for the teacher and the other students.
Introduction of the class requirements and organization is critical to showing the students that it is important to be organized in order to perform well. Learning is not at all an excepiton to that rule.
