Get Your Students Hired
Kathleen,
I commend you for the great start of your "own" class. The disaster you inherited was a real learning tool for you but think about how the experience set you up for success later. Not that I would wish this kind of start to a teaching career onto anyone. You are doing a great job with your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I was hired mid term with my first class of students. Thier first instructor was fired and I was hired.So needless to say things were pretty out of control. The class ran over me like a truck. They didn't respect me because they knew I had never taught before. Their behavior was so poor and I couldn't get them to respect me even though they knew how much expirence I had as a Dental Assistant. I knew that with my first new class things were going to be so different. I was going to take control from the very first second, and I did. I am 5 weeks into my first class that is completely mine and it awesome. I layed out the rules from day one. What was expected if they were absent and did not call me to my poilices on make quizes and test and make up time. I gave them an orientation packet that included my contact number and email address and a wriiten copy of all make up policies. They had to sign that they read and recieved this information. Things are going so smooth it's incredible. I speak and lecture with no side conversations going on around me. Everyone respects each other and helps each other out. Going to work is so wonderful now. This is exactly how I expected it would be. This ourse is definatly helping me keep control of the classroom atmosphere better. I am learning so much from this class!
The methods I use in my classroom include:
a correct syllabus
format of my grading scale written on the board
discussion of my classroom behavior expectations
handouts with a required signature sheet for the student to sign as a promise of committment.
sometime you have to use students as an example when the violation of you expectation has aroused--for students to understand you mean what you say.
a promise to meet all and any expectations of the student
Sandy,
This is a very good strategy. This way you can manage behavior as well as continue the learning process. A win win for everyone.
Gary
The most obvious answer to this question is to ask them,the students. However, over the years, I have learned that there are as many responses as there are people in the room. We take the time to share each other's perspective and we work until we have a group agreement as to what the expectations look like, feel like, and how they are modeled. This takes a little time but it is well worth the effort because it curbs issues before they arise and the focus can then be placed on teaching and learning.
Sandy Gecewicz
I explain the material and write everything on the board to make sure they copy and sign my expectations.
Very easy, very straight forward. These are the rules, these are my expectations.
Any questions. i also go around the class and ask them their expectations.
I try to make as clear as possible my expectations in class and in the course and give examples of those to the students.
In addition, I use reminders and reenforcement of those objectives throughout. I praise going the extra mile and continuous class participation to get the point across.
John,
Not uncommon with online students. They need to have ongoing reinforcement as well as feedback from the instructor as you well know. This is a good reminder for all of us that teach online courses to keep the communication coming and going throughout the course.
Gary
My students are provided with several documents, primarily on-line, such as the syllabus that provide the expectations of the course. Even though I cover the expectations with the students, it appears that reinforcement is necessary such as commenting on pros and cons of the discussion posted.
I agree that a detailed syllabus helps set the tone for expectations. I hand out the syllabus and go over each item in detail. Then I outline my own wxpectations for classroom behavior etc..
Hi Alma,
Good planning strategy. This way your students can see a professional educator in action as well as acquire the needed content.
Gary
I use to make transitions between parts of lessons smooth. In other words, as I move from whole group discussion to independent work, try to minimize the disruption to the class. My papers are ready to go and my assignment already written on the board. Many disruptions occur during transitional times during lessons.
I give them a handout of my policies and go over it with them the first day, giving example of situations from my experience and humorous anecdotes that drive home why each of my policies is in place.
Hi Rebecca,
I start the class by letting everyone sit where they want. I come into the first class and we do an ice breaker, go over the syllabus, and set the stage for the class. This way the students select their own seats so don't complain about how I am doing the "high school" with them. Then the next class I put them into learning groups and I do this in a way that mixes up the students in relation to age, cliques and cohort groups. I assign them a case study or problem solving activity. At the end of this activity I then tell them that these are their assigned seats for the next few weeks. The students don't complain because they have already worked together so they see the value of sitting with each other to do future work. It is a bit of a game but it works.
Gary
Hi Eric,
I don't think it is controversial, but I do think it is good instructional planning. Keep up this strategy because it is effective and engaging for the students. This sets the stage for successful learning to occur.
Gary
I make sure they understand and read the syllabus. This is what is expected of them. I tell them what is required for the class during this time. Professionalism is expected and I do remind the students of this, and I write it in the rules of the class.
The first method I use to make sure my students understand what is expected of them is to have a fairly detailed syllabus on the first night of class. I also go over it during the first night of class and if I see some misunderstanding through out the course I revisit the requirements.
I just started teaching Information Technology classes. The first students varied widely in age, education, experience and social skills. The class was quite large with more than 25 students at a time. I experienced a lot of problems. Some students started to come late and leave early. Others interrupted the lecture by explaining the current subject to their hispanic colleagues in spanish. Also it was very distracting that they used their PC's for other than intended purposes. This was a one time experience and I never want to have a class like that again.
I therefore will focus more on policies and make my expectations very clear from the beginning. A better personal connection would also help and therefore I want to spend more time on introducing myself and letting the students introduce themselves.