Hi Suzanne,
You hit upon the key of your introducing your students to your course. The caring aspect. The method you use lets them know you want them to be successful and that you are going to do all that you can to help them with their career goals. Keep up the good work.
Gary
For me personally I use the verbal method. I teach clincally in a nursing program. I have found that spending a few hrs on the first clinical day, explaining my expectations will provide an improved learning expierence. I read the course syllabus and course objectives with the class and discuss the my course expectations. I find this method very effective and adds a personal and caring touch to which students can relate.
Suzanne Tammen
Hi James,
Good way to start a new class. This is a good way to start the development of rapport with your students and they get to know each other better.
Gary
On the first day of class I will usually hand out the syllabus and explain it to them. Next I will do a brief introduction exercise to get the students more comfortable. I usually have them introduce themselves and reveal something about themselves that others would find interesting.
Hi Misty,
What have been some of your greatest challenges when your students start asking questions about course content and application?
Gary
Continually reminding them in class of what I am expecting and allowing them time to ask questions, so that we make sure we are all on the same page. Using clear grading guidelines and rubrics also helps.
Hi Alexander,
If the students know what the expectations are and the instructor has worked hard to make the expectations clear then the course is going to get off to a good start. There will be no surprises on either part.
Gary
A beginning instructor once asked me just before the first day of his first course. The best answer that I could give him was, "They can't do what you expect them to if they don't know what you expect." It helps both the student and the instructor to clearly state his expectations of the class.
Hi Mohan,
You have a great blend of different assessment methods that help you to measure the skill and knowledge development of your students. Your students should be well prepared for success when they complete your course.
Gary
There are many methods I use to measure the depth of the students' understanding of the topic taught.I use the following in that order:
Written activity- questions most of which are of true or false; mutiple choice questions; and a few questions which calls for brief writting exercises to express in their own words.Some of these exercises are based on the hands on practices they did in the lab such as why a certain step is important or without a certain step being followed how it affects the end result of a lab task etc..
Oral questions- Questions based on the key elements of the topic taught.The answers should come from the pointed students and ask for conformation from the rest of the class.
Written test- Testing is carried out only after I am satisfied with their performances in the previous two techniques. I believe that a test is to test what they know, not what they do not know.
Hands on test- to test their abilities to put their knoledge into practice.
you explain to them what is expectec go over it in the syllabus and then ask them to tell you and if they have questions
By providing a well organized and detailed
syllabus I will provide my students the necessary information about my policies and expectations
Hi Pamela,
Great to hear of your success as a new instructor. You laid a very solid base for how the course was going to be operated. These are great first steps. As you gain experience and develop rapport with your students you will be amazed at how much learning will take place. Keep learning and keep looking for ways to reach students and you will do fine.
Gary
Hi George,
By doing this you start your students out knowing expectations and requirements. This way if they question an assignment you can refer them back to the handout as you mention in the forum. Reduces misunderstandings and keeps the class going forward.
Gary
I am teaching for the first time, and did find it difficult to stand in front of a class that first day. But with confidence in what I wanted to say to the students and confidence in myself I was able to get through it. The first day I introduced myself and then had the students introduce themselves and tell my why they were taking the course. I also told them that I wanted them to treat the class as if they were at a job and I wanted them to exhibit the same amount of professionalism as they would in a job setting. I also told them they would be graded on their professionalism. I have had no problems yet.
I go over all expecions at the beginng of the class, they are given a handout and we go over them on power point as wee, that way theres nobody that can say, "you didnt't tell us that"
If anybody does i refer them back to the handout they were given.
Ask them what will it take to pass, What they should be able to accomplish at the end of the training.
i like to start with some humor to losing up the room. i also pay attention to were they sit, there is alot of information given by the loctation in the room, pay attention to the frist one there, pay attention to the ones with pens and pencils on the frist day. by the end of a hour i can norrow down to 1-3 "slackers" and i have already adressed it with them in private. Also look for who sits in the front, asked the frist question ETC... Now just because i found the slacker just give me a chance to bring him/her up a notch and build some confadence.
Hi Claudia,
Good way to start the class. This way everyone knows the expectations and confusion will be greatly reduced.
Gary
I make an assignment sheet for the entire term. It has the required work, waht is needed for an A and the deadlines for each chapter. I also hand out a syllabus with the breakdown of how the homework and tests will be weighted. I use an online grading program and I explain that I update grades after each test and after each unit is completed. They get a sign on to the program and they can check it any time. I then ask questions to see if they understand.
