Hi Brian,
Be a motivator daily; you are your students biggest cheerleader. Some will accept the encouragement others won't, but continue to cheer them all until the end. The penalty is to be assessed the second they do not do what is required of them.
Patricia Scales
Even when the sylabus is covered in detail and clear expectations have been set, a few students will choose to under perform. The challenge here is how to motivate these students, and when to allow the penalty to be assessed.
Hi Alyson,
Actually, your students are very fortunate to have you for about 1 year. They can really get use to the way you do all things and certainly use that to their advantage.
Patricia Scales
My course syllabus is very clear and I also remind students of specific rules within their individual homework assignments (if applicable).
I teach the same students for about 1 year- so after the 1st term, they know my rules and my style, so they usually comply for the most part.
Hi Angela,
If it works well continue to use. Reach out to that one student who may not get it.
Patricia Scales
That is exactly how I do it. So far it seems to work well. I do however, always have one students that never fully gets it.
Hi Kristina,
There is nothing like having a calendar that you can see every day to serve as a reminder!
Patricia Scales
I hand out a calander and have them fill in the dates when each chapter is due on a weekly basis. Also, I tell them when quizzes and tests will be. This is in the syllabus as well.
Hi Amanda,
This is an awesome tactic to help keep students on target. Students can not use the excuse that they did not know.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jacqueline,
Students love rubrics. They should not ever be surprised what their grade is because the rubric is a way for students to pre-grade their own work.
Patricia Scales
I have instituted in all my classes, a working class policy . This explains clearly what is expected of the student and what they can expect of me. I use rubrics that detail what the project requires and exactly how it will be graded.
I love the idea of giving a calendar to each student. This is a very structured and organized way to deliver all the information so that the students then can see the expectations of the class and the instructor.
The student can easily access the calendar on a weekly basis and keep up with all assignments to complete and turn in for the week.
Hi Steven,
Great ways to cover bases to ensure students are provided with clarity. Better clarity ensures better success.
Patricia Scales
In my class the white board is used to inform students as to course direction. In addition the class portal is used extensively to inform students as to direction,and matters in the economy that will impact their experiences.
Hi Mary ,
I love it! What a great way to bond and learn about the course requirements at the same time. Students love doing fun, meangingful assignments. I especially like how each student has a role in the group.
Patricia Scales
I use an "ice breaker" activity. Students are asked to read through the syllabus (posted on portal) before the first class. At the beginning of the first class, I have a short welcome, then I divide them into groups of four and hand each group a set of questions to answer regarding the syllabus (identical sets). Each group must identify a reader, a recorder, a facilitator,and a runner. The readers reads the question out loud, the facilitator initiates a discussion of the question, the recorder writes an agreed upon answer on a slip of paper, and finally the runner places that slip of paper in a drawing box (I have a box ready for each question). After a set amount of time (all groups may not finish and that's okay), I go over each question then draw an answer randomly from the box containing all the groups' answer slips. I read the group's answer out loud and as a class, we discuss whether the answer is correct and complete. If it is, that group gets a point. If it isn't, I continue to draw other group's answers until the class agrees on the best one. I continue the same process for each question. The group with the most points after all questions have been answered gets some small prize such as extra credit points or extra time at break. This activity seems to clear up an issues with course requirements and course evaluation. It also creates a high level of comfort immediately because the activity is engaging, fun, and competitive.
Hi Earl,
You do a great job with providing clarity to your students. Things flow better when clarification has been added.
Patricia Scales
At the begining of each session I will hand out a class SOP. In the SOP is the requirements for the course, expectations, and grading procedures. Also at the start of a new chapter I will write the self study information and lab assignments on the white board. During the start of lecture I will read the information to verbally emphasize the self study and lab requirements.
Hi Amanda,
I can tell you care about your students. Students need to know that we geniunely care about them.
Patricia Scales
The methods that I use is through Power point, syllabus, and lectures. I also have the student read and sign the acknowledgement that they understand the requirements. The course requirements are clear along with expectations from the beginning.
