Hi Christopher,
Wow, you and I think a lot alike. I too want my students to learn about each other. I tell them on Day 1, we are all one big family except at test time.
Patricia
Not only is it to learn about them and them about you but also for them to learn about each other. I always ask my students to state why they chose my school and where in the industry do they want it to take them. This allows me to match people up in two ways one; who has similar goals and two; who has opposing views that could be grouped so both students can grow and learn from each other's knowledge and expertise.
Hi Earl,
Have you ever had a student to not show up on the first day, but the student turned out to be an excellent student?
Patricia
i agree that setting the tone for the class the first day is good but the students should also set that tone, and some do that by not showing up this can be a outline of what they do in the whol course.
The first day it's always very exiting not just for the student but for me. I make sure to set up very well, and to check more than once everything I will need for the class, like books, handouts, so when they come into the class they can see and I let them know that I will specting the same from them
Hi Jose,
The first day is extremely important. If a student misses the first day, they've missed a whole lot. At my insitution students are penalized for missing the first day. Any student who misses the first day must take the final exam.
I THINK THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS IS AS IMPORTANT AS ANY OTHER DAY IF NOT MORE, BECAUSE ON THIS DAY THE INSTRUCTOR WILL COVER IN DETAIL THE CONTENT OF THE COURSE AS WELL AS TERM PROJECTS, QUIZES, PRACTICAL EXAMS, FINAL EXAM AND WILL GO OVER EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE.
Hi Danny,
We do need to make our students feel as comfortable as possible, yet having them realize though that you are the teacher, and they are the students. Some instructors get TOO comfortable with students.
Patricia
Hello Francisco,
You are so on point! Isn't it the most aggravating thing? I DO NOT take time out of class to go over what was missed on the first day by a student that was absent. It is simply not fair to those who were there the first day. The absent student has to make an appointment with me OUTSIDE of class time.
Patricia
Hi Francisco,
Absolutely, you MUST set the bar the first day! It is important to lay ground rules on the very first day so that students know exactly what you expect.
Patricia
This is true and I also feel it is important to make the students know who you are as a Instructor as well as a person. This will make them feel more at comfortable in the class.
Ya that dose get old. I hate that too.
then you have to sit there withe those who did not come the first day and do it all over for them cus the want to know what happend the first day. Taking time out of the class.
I like the first day becuse you can relly get a good feel for the class. And yes it nice to get a the bar set from the first day.
Hi Scott,
Isn't that the truth! I chuckled as I was reading your response. You can bet who will miss the first day. At my institution, we have a policy that if you miss the first day, you are required to take the final exam. Students can be exempt from the final exam if they have both an "A" average and perfect attendance. It is a great incentive to encourage first day attendance. The policy has worked well.
Patricia
I can't stand it when students miss the 1st day. Usually, the same old suspects.
Hi Matthew,
Every course I teach I have developed a thorough PowerPoint presentation that fully explains the purpose of taking the course. Students love the presentations because they get to understand their purpose for taking the course.
Patricia
As other instructors have mentioned, I go into much more detail on the first day as opposed to students who show up on Day 2 or another day. I also help the students understand the importance of the class in their overall experience in school and why the class I teach may be able to help them when they are in the real world. If we, as instructors, do not do this, we will loose the interest of the students for the rest of the class.
Hello Judy,
I too do a quick review on the second day, but it is no where as in depth as the review on the first day. It is extremely important to come to school on the first day, and as you do, it needs to be made known to students the importance of the first day.
Patricia
I totally agree with this. I let my studnets know that it is most important to attend the first day of class since this is the day that I am giving them the recipe for success in the class. I spend much time reviewing the course expectations and assignments. I also review these on the second day, but my time is limited here.
Hi Jason,
Great tactic to use for the first day. What tactics do you use for the remainder of the grading period to encourage great participation?
Patricia
