Hi William,
Good strategy. Sharing this information is so important for the students as they get settled into the class. They need to know the course requirements, expectations and how they can be successful if they put forth the effort.
Gary
I would define and outline the expectations for the course on the first day. I would outline the course material they must cover and present and give the due dates for each activity. I would inform the class about quiz and exam formats. In addition, I would encourage students to bring their experiences into disscussions. Their ideas are welcomed. I would let them know that I would assist them with any concern.
I think incorporating an Course Acknowledgement and/or Student Responsibility page at the end of the syllabus is key....I have students sign and date when they receive a copy. This way I am able to ensure they have read it and if they have any questions, we can address it at that time.
I make expectations clear to students by verbalizing my expectations and I have students sign a contract stating they understand and accept the expectations.
I completley agree. Without laying a firm foundation from day one, anything you try and build will fall apart. Have to establish expectation day one
I like to use the analogy of a roadmap for explaining the course on the first day, showing where we are starting and our destination. I explain that I have the basic plan in place, wtih planned stops along the way. I state that we might take some detours should we hit some roadblocks, we might stay awhile at one of our waystops should we need extra time to grasp a concept, and that we, as a class, will determine whether or not the trip is a success.
I too provide my students with a course syllabus, course outline, goals and objectives with the grading requirement outlined. I review these with the class on the first day. I also review the late policy, absences, make up work and class etiquete. I emphasize respect and courtesy to the other students in the classroom. I have not reviewed the safety policies on the first day of class but I will be incorporating that into my classes in future. Good idea!
I spend about 30 minutes of the first class going over my expectations. I prepare and handout dates of tests, quizzes, and assignments. I also ask the students what are their expectations of me and what do they expect to get out of the course.
Hi Gary,
Good way to get them settled into the course and feeling like they can be successful. The more clearly you can make your expectations the easier it will be to get them focused on the outcomes.
Gary
Hi Pam,
I like this approach. The list makes it clear and the students know what they are expected to do to be successful. Simple yet powerful.
Gary
I have a "Class Expectations" list that I hand out at the first class. It is important that students understand and read the expectations. I also give students time to comment on the expectations.
The first class is the launching point for class expections, I make it clear what it takes to be highy successful in the course,proper study habits, quality assignments,and class participation.
I ask questions to insure that each student clearly understand course expectations.
I think we should also get the expectations of our students. At one of our recent FDN's they suggested we have our students give us their expectations so we could clarify early in the class any misunderstanding so they are not expecting something that will not be delivered. After I have covered all my first day information. I leave the students in the room for about 10 minutes and have them write any expectations on the board. This also performs as an icebreaker and they have to work together. When I come back to the room we go over their list one by one and discuss if it is a realistic expectation. This puts everyone on the same page as far as outcomes they can expect at the end of the class.
After presenting the syllabus I write a outline of what is expected of them over the next few weeks that we will be together.
Clear and concise expectations are the key. Use reasonable metrics for evauation and make sure the students know what metrics used to evaluate them are. Ask for responses from the students to verify that they understand these expectations.
Review the syllabus, line by line, high lighting the key points and reviewing the test, projects and grading criteria on the first class and giving reminders as necessary.
Every day i scheduled question-answer session about what we discussed just before in lecture, and gave them extra credit for correct answers.That's motivate them to remain concentrated in class.
Hi Barry,
This is so important for the students to know and understand. How do you explain your learning outcomes to your students as you start the course?
Gary
Learning outcomes at the beginning of each mini lecture
Hi Christopher,
It takes work I do know that. But by continually presenting examples of professionalism and bringing in guest speakers from the field to talk about it the message does get through to most of them.
Gary
