After introductions and review of the syllabus I tell all my students that they are starting off my class with an "A". I wait a moment and watch the reaction I get because everything thinks tht they are set and they won't have to do any more work. I say it's up to you to prove me wrong. Everyone laughes and then I go into details about what's required for them to keep that "A" along with outside resources, workshops and any other information I can give them to help the succeed. The hardest instructor I had in college told me personally the same thing the second time I had her for class and it was at that moment that I knew she really cared about me succeeding. I want all my student to feel the same way. You can care and not be a pushover. You just have to set limits upfront.
I am absolutely the same way. I very politely remind the students that I will follow classroom policies established in the syllabus. If the student or students continue in a deviant path and I write their name down that normally takes care of it.
I also give my students simple directions to do well in the class. The Students know on the first day what I expect as far as quizzes, group projects, and class discussions.
I tell my students that they all have an (A) in the class the first day; this gives them positive motivation to give their best effort from the start.
HI Kathryn,
Good way to make the course requirements, expectations and polices clear. This reduces questions and concerns on the part of students as they are laid out plan and clear from the very beginning.
Gary
I agree I like to come across as having a plan to sucessfully complete course
I go over the syllabus and discuss the methods of evaluation. Sometimes the students are confused about the way grades are calculated. I also explain what is the purpose of each type of activity (quizes, exercises or papers)and how each is going to help them understand the subject matter better. I also give the students the opportunity to ask questions and provide them with my email address to contact me in case they have other questions after the class.
I constantly ask students to repeat what I just stated.
Discuss, post and give students a hard copy of expectations.
At the begining and end of every class I review expectations for the day, week, and entire class to keep them on track.
Have students regurgitate back what has been discussed.
Have them sign a form....
Like most groups, classes, teams, etc. I have participated in over the years, I emphasize working together and respecting one another as a group vs individuals. Also efforts to relate ground rules to school expectations etc.
Syllabus and other tools help make things more concrete
I give out expectations and we review them together with a Q & A section
I like to let students know up front what is required to pass the class and that inappropriate behavior will not be tolorated this is done by going over the policies and what conciquences the student will occur.
I have designed a seperate sheet called "expectations" which describes different areas of in addition to the college requirements r/t dress code and professionalism: cell phones, talking; late assignments, communication
i am new at this but basically i explain my expectations and review rule and makeup policy etc
My approach for making my expectations clear to students is very straight forward. In teaching an online course I have live sessions (optional attendance but recorded). My first live session is entitled, earning an A in my course. I spend about 30 minutes discussing very specific expectations regarding assignments, participation, etc. Students frequently express their appreciation both at that time, and on my evaluations, for letting them know exactly what is going on in the course. In addition I post announcements regarding both general and specific expectations for the course.
The technique that I am going to use to convey my expectations is through the course expectation document. I am going to delineate exactly what I expect from them in each facet of the course and what they cn expect from me. I will go over the material on the first day of class along with the syllabus. When this information is discussed the first class meeting it sets the tone, boundaries, and expectations.
In the beginning of a course, I talk about the objectives and the requirements to pass the course. I make sure that it is all clear and that the class do understand what is expected from them. These includes quizzes, homeworks, presentations,group works and all exams.
This is the best way to go. In fact, making your expectation clear and so does the students'.
Hi Tim,
Clear expectations really help the students to get settled into a course plus it reduces their anxiety about what it takes to be successful in the course.
Gary
I agree with the clarifying your expectations, but if you don't follow through with enforcing them then you are sending the students mixed messages. Should you make the expectations more than you are able to carry through with or less?
