Getting off to a great start (preparing for a successful class)
Hi Everyone: I just want to share some ideas I have for getting the class off to a great start. It is vital that we use the early weeks of class to make an impression of us being active and organized instructors.
Here are my success tips for getting the class off to a great start:
1. Post mini-lectures or starter questions for each week’s Discussion Board.
2. Welcome each student to the class in an Introductions Board
3. E-mail course policies and syllabus to students a few days before class
4. Ask about prior experiences. From the first day instructors can take note of an introduction posted by the student that indicates future issues a student may have. It may be that student expresses problems or fears with the class. These students can be then “watched†by the instructor to see if any issues arise. The quicker the intervention, the better it is for the student
5. Have a Questions Conference
6. Instructors should be proactive and make sure that students have gone through online school’s orientation; students should know where they need to go for help with basic technical issues and basic tech requirements.
7. Search out students' understanding and prior experiences about a concept before teaching it to them.
8. Once the problem or situation is ascertained, the instructor needs to step in as “guide on the side.†If the issue is the course material, the instructor can help point the student to resources that are available. The student can be reached by different techniques. For instance, does the student want to take advantage of the college's Writing Center? The Library often has a number of handouts and resources that can be shared with the students as applicable to the student’s concerns.
Do you have any tips or tricks that you use to create that first impression?
Christina,
I call this part of the class "Setting the Stage". This time lets the students get settled in and for me to "read" the class and what kind of mood it is in or if something is going on that I need to respond to in relation to keeping the class moving forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with you. I can see how it breaking the ice at the start of each class session can be beneficial to the students. It will put the students at ease and get their attention at the same time. I am going to try this out with my next class.
Always start the class out with a fun story, joke or something lighthearted to break the ice, the students will look forward to this every morning and it starts the day on a good note!
Julie,
Great list! Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it is going to of great help to other instructors.
Gary
one thing that i think could be a great tool for your questions conference is a recycle board. write the questions on a post it and put on the board. the instructor commits to getting to the recycle questions by the end of the day or when appropriate.
Julie has some great tips in her list of getting class off to a great start. Orientation is much more important than most students realize it should always be mandatory!
