You are spot on with accessability. It opens the lines of communications for students if they feel their Instructor is approachable. Making yourself accessable before, during and after class time is critical for student success but your demeanor and professionalism determines whether your approachable or not. Show them you honestly care about their success and tactfully redirect during their failures.
Hi Michael,
It is your attitude of caring that comes through with all of the efforts you listed. Your students know you want them to succeed and that you are willing to help them to do such. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi James,
Good job with what we call "setting the stage" for that day's learning. It sets up the expectations and requirements and gets the students focused on what is going to occur that day.
Gary
Since I only teach advanced students, course expectations are already well-known. The last thing I do is go through a syllabus "cover to cover." I pick out the highlights. They can read the rest. My main goal is to make them understand the importance of the course and the relation the instant course has to their overall program and career. All of our courses are interwoven, and I hold them to high standards by expecting that they bring to the instant course knowledge gained in previous courses. That level of respect sets the tone for serious study.
All of what we do in classroom environment is based upon communication. If I follow the proper guidelines that have been established by my institution I will in effect ensure that student have been given the proper information for success. In regards to myself it revolves around accessibility in and out side the classroom. If I let students know how to contact me and allow my self to be personable inside the classroom, my students will achieve.
I have found setting up a calendar for the length of the course really helps to clarify my expectations. This includes due dates of assignments, exams, competencies, papers and projects. I always have a notice at the bottom of the sheet stating that on occassion the due dates may be changed, but students will be notified in class or by email. The calendar also helps me to stay on track!
The syllabus is a great place to start; I also take a few minutes at the begining of class to announce where they should be, today's agenda, and the next meeting's agenda.
Hi Chris,
Human beings in order to retain information need repetition and you are right on target with it. They have to be told what they are going to be taught, they have to be taught and then told what they have been taught. All of these reminders help them to see the big picture in their learning process.
Gary
Well first and foremost is the first day handout sylabus and objectives PowerPoint slides. These are approx. 45 minutes.
Students need to be reminded from time to time so when we start a new chapter there is a summary of where we have been and where we are headed.
I make sure to cover the syllabus on the first day of class, but then I also create and hand out an addendum which outlines my specific "rules" regarding cell phone/texting in class, attendance poicies, late work, etc. Within that discussion we also cover expected study time outside of class.
We use a Sylabus and we go over it together for about 20 minutes. This covers expections we have , grading policy , class rules and any Performance Evaluation Checklists that may be given.
The objectives are covered by a PowerPoint presentation for approx. 15 minutes.
Hi Arceli,
Well said. You have to have standards that reflect the career area that you are training students to enter. They need to know that being absent or tardy will not be tolerated since their future employers will not tolerate it either. Good training now for the future.
Gary
I clearly state that I am flexible but not gullible and have high standards on quality work and instruction.
Hi Sir Roy,
Your method helps to reduce any confusion about expectations. The students need to know what the expectations are and when they will be met. This way you can concentrate on teaching and helping your students meet their goals.
Gary
I feel clear communniation is important to have my students understand what i expect of them. I at times have them repeat what was said to ensure that they did hear correctly.I also have each student read part of the expectation sheet that is created.
Hi Jennifer,
Good job with your instructional process. You are giving content and then reinforcing it with examples. This not only give students cognitive information they see application. This really helps with long term retention of content.
Gary
I am a culinary arts instructor. I find that the best way for students to understand what is expected of them is to provide them with examples. For instance, if a portfolio is their assignment, I show them a sample portfolio providing them the opportunity to see how to successfully showcase their food by the correct use of lighting, angles, background and plate choice. Sometimes you just have to see something to really understand.
Hi Emily,
It is very important for students have something to compare with in terms of their work. By providing them samples you are enabling them to get a start on their projects since they know what they need to look like.
Gary
Hi Robert,
The key is to set your instructional demands to those of the industry and you are doing exactly that. By having a timeline for setting the buffet line is modeling the requirements of the work world.
Good job.
Gary
I have found that bringing examples of research papers or assignments to class on the first day helps to clarify what is expected of the student.
