Lennox,
This is a very important part of getting students settled into the course. Knowing expectations, polices and requirements lets them know what it is going to take for them to be successful in the course. This reduces questions and frustrations because you have laid it out for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Alan,
Good method of reminding the students repeatedly about what is being accomplished in the course and what is coming next. Students need these types of reminders throughout the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is best to lay out the goals and ideas that will be express with your students so that they have and idea of what it will take to be successful by simply presenting the requirements.
Sybellus works well plus I write on the board everyweek what we are doing for the week such as books, quiz dates and labs ect. At the begining of each week I go over and students write it all down. Works at well and keeps everyone interacting with the instructor.
Joseph,
I think this is a very wise thing to do because you are letting the students know exactly what is going to be expected of them so they can plan their schedules accordingly. Often students don't realize or don't process the fact that they are going to have to work and work hard to be successful in their college career efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As part of my first class level setting I include a statement about how many hours they will have spend outside of class on homework to be successful.
This aligns with the college's credit ascription standards and should already be obvious to students but I feel that a strong statement at the start of the course sets the tone.
This is comforting to those students who already have a strong work ethic and sends the message to those students who might think they can take a more informal base touching approach to the class.
Connie,
I like your position on setting standards and then expecting the students to meet them. This is why the students are in the course for the first place. They are receiving instruction and working toward their career goals. If they do not meet the standards they will not be successful out in the workplace. You are the learning leader so you can model how you want the class to go. Having fun and being enthusiastic helps to get the students engaged in the course while moving them toward the course goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
On the first day of class, I am very clear on what I expect from the students. Although I am a fun, engaging instructor I do not tolerate students who do not meet expectations. In light of that, I would never call a student out in front of other students. I would schedule a time to speak to them privately.
Rick,
What is the lecture about and how do you engage your students in the class?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I give a lecture at the beginning of each phase to let them know what I expect.
Jackie,
I am a big fan of rubrics. I commend you for using them. They help the students to see exactly how and where points are going to be earned or lost. They save me a lot of time because I am able to zero in on a specific area of a student's project or assignment since the points are earned in categories.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
my techniques in learning required both audio and visual for the students to meet their and my expectations. Also including dicussion for each subejct to see if they understood what was given to them
My expectations for behavior are clearly listed in their syllabus/addendum. The expectations for assessment tools are discussed in class, as are projects, portfolio items, etc. Rubrics are even handed out to the students so that they know the content of items over which they will be graded.
Benny,
Nice approach to connecting each class session to the next one that is coming. The students can see the progress they are making in the course this way and build their skills and knowledge from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I introduce myself to my students before the class starts and handout contracts so they can read it over the weekend and sign. I collect it on the first day of off class. During class i demo what they are to produce make them taste it so they have a bench mark for the next day.
Sylinda,
This is the way to show to your students the value of the syllabus as reference guide and resource.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
After introductions on the first day of class, I go over the entire syllabus. I explain main points, course projects, assignments, and etc. I ask questions at the end of class about the syllabus to make sure the students understood what I discussed about the syllabus. I remind my students constantly throughout the term of any expectations.
i go over the sybulls so the students know what they need to do to pass the phase, and so they know what to expect from this class.
Elly,
What are some strategies you use to get input from each student during these Q&A sessions? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I ask a series of questions and make sure everyone know the right answer. I design these questions so the students paraphrase what I had explained.
