First day of class
Setting comfort zone in the classroom, should always be set the 1st day. Lay out the do's and don'ts. Be clear and calm.
Hi Heather,
I concur! Lay the ground rules on Day 1 so that your students know up front the expectations.
Patricia Scales
I remember as a new teacher NOT doing this on day one...I had to keep interrurpting classtime later to explain the expectations of my class. Now my first day with students (even if I've had them before) is laying down all the rules and expectations of the class, of them, and of myself. I've noticed that taking the time to do this prevented alot of problems later. They may think you are going to be a strict teacher at first, but later when everyone plays by the rules, the realize that you can make the class an exciting learning environment when you don't have to deal with problems and just focus on having fun while learning!
I think that introducing myself is necessary. The students seem to show interest and they need to know that their instructor has experience in the subject.
Hi Margilane,
Getting to know your students is important. Rapport building makes for a better teaching/learning environment.
Patricia
My comfort zone is to introduce myself & get to know my students.
I agree if each student knows what the expectations/requirements are in the first class it will set the tone for the entire coarse.
Firm, friendly and professional, great characteristic. Joan
Hi Tom,
I like it! I always tell my instructors you have to be the best salespeople in the building because each day you have to sell your students on coming back the next day. I like to leave them in limbo at the end of the day, and I tell them we will get Part II tomorrow. I even go so far as saying, you do not want to miss tomorrow because...
Patricia
Not sure when I started doing this, but I have this prime goal on the first day: What am I going to do today that will make them want to come back for the second day. Even if the course is required, it's a great exercise. Assume they don't have to take your class. What will you do the first day that will make them "want" to come back on the second day? It means you have to put yourself in their place, and frankly, it's a scary exercise, but it will make you think.
The first day of class is always interesting to me. I appear very serious to the students. I can see the fear in their eyes as I lay the ground rules of the class. I find that it is easier to be strict up front and then loosen up later. The older students appreciate it. The younger students eventually "get it" as time goes on.
Bill
Hi Linda,
Yes, it is an appropriate response! Everything we teach we need to try to relate it to the real world. These students with this type attitude is going to have a hard time making it in the professional world; rules are in place to be abided by, regardless of age.
Patricia
Thats whats nice about the syllabus, they have reading material right in front of them! After going over the syllabus you can actually tell the students to go over it again so they do understand and if they have questions they missed they have an opportunity.
I always go over the syllabus the first day so the students know their assignments and what the course involves. I like the part where posters would help. I think I will try that with my next class.
I like to do this also, yet I go to the students too and ask what they are doing now and how exciting it is to change to the medical field that offers so much. They seem to get very comfortable then, and they learn about their classmates.
Sometimes setting the do's and don'ts overwhelm students who are adults and they tend to try to tell you they are adults and don't have to go by the rules. Since the class is all ages I try to explain the work force setting have rules also that all ages need to follow. Is that a correct response?
Hi Tim,
The first day really does make the mark for the rest of the term. Expectations/requirements must be made known on Day 1. I believe in haveing a firm, yet friendly, professional approach with my students. I display these characteristics on the first day and throughout the entire grading period.
Patricia
I do have to agree. the first day of class is where you have to set things up for the rest of the trem. If you go in as I want to be everybodies friend, I want everybody to like me attitude then you will probobly have a hard time controlling the class. I go in the first day let the students know what I expect from them and lay the ground rules. I feel that it is easier to back away from some things then to try and force other things that the students had been getting away with before.
Hello Cecilia,
I completely agree that the Instructor has to set the tone of the classroom and of the whole course on the first day.
Telling them about the rules will also be very helpful in creating a professional and orderly learning environment.
Aloha,
Geraldine Reyes
Hi Leslie,
What do you do on the first day of class?
Patricia
Exactly. There will still be the ones who say "Oh I wasn`t listening"
