Hi Rhoda,
I am sure your students appreciate you being very up front with them. They know on Day 1 what is expected of them and what the rules are.
Patricia
Hi Kathy,
Meeting deadlines is a key factor in the workplace. Good lesson of teaching the concept of planning ahead in order to meet deadlines.
Patricia
The first day of class I post the dates for all exams and when all projects are due and their requirements. This way the students can plan ahead and get their work done in a timely manner.
The best tool for making the course requirements clear, is the syllabus. I review the syllabus during the first class. I point out the topics that might become issues at a later date, for example: I do not accept any late work. Since I address this issue the first day, the student cannot state later that they did not know about that policy. I give out a list of assignments and the due date, during the first class as well. That way the student knows about the assignment in advance. Students may work ahead if they want, but the assignment needs to be turned in at the assigned time.
Hi Candace,
What a great way to make something (TV)
a lot of people enjoy to get topic points across.
Patricia
Hi Loraine,
Great way to lead into the first day! Students want to and nead a full explanation of the syllabus so that there are no misunderstandings.
Patricia
Hi Mark,
No gray areas and this is exactly what the students need. They know exactly what is required of them to be successful in the course.
Patricia
Hi Lillian,
We need to ensure our students fully understand the information on the first day as to what is required of them. Clarity brings about great results.
Patricia
To make the course requirements clear for the students going over the syllbus point by point helps make each student aware of everything that is due, the requirements, expectations, and gives them time to ask questions seeking clarification and showing understanding.
Each course requirement is clearly listed on the syllabus. I start off each course with an example of one of the knowledge objectives listed on my syllabus and how it relates in the field and present it in a Power Point Presentation in order to generate comments and input. Then we begin the discussion of course requirements. This tends to drive home very quickly that knowledge obtained in the course have relevance to their career choice. So far it's been very effective at making it clear to students what requirements will help them learn the objectives.
besides giving them all the printed materials including the syllabus, I write on the board each day what i am doing. I include what is due and what we are doing the next class.
After introducing myself to the class, I ask the students to tell me a little about themselves so I can get a feel for what type of students i have in my class.
I explain and outline the entire syllabi. I give examples of what will be expected of each student.
Students need to understand what is expexted in
the course. This will help to understand the
requirements.
Aided by PowerPoint, I list the course objectives and state how we, as a group, are going to accomplish those objectives. I specifically state what is required of the students to make that happen.
Hi Etta,
I like how you give your students advanced notice about what chapters will be covered on the upcoming test. Some students really do like to begin to prepare a head of time.
Patricia
Hi Marcia,
Some people are chronic complainers, as educators we have to do the best we can to create a positive atmosphere for learning.
Patricia
Yet, there must be some kind of law of cause and effect working here. There's almost always a student who subsists on a lifetime of complaining!
On the first day of class, I give a detailed overview of the syllabus. I give them examples on how the course will be an asset in their professional career based upon the particular topics listed on the syllabus. On topics that may seem inrelevant, I try and find a fun reasoning for the information to be learned. I also ask the students what their perceptive of the class is to try and ease any fears and concerns. Also, asking about favorite tv shows is helpful because I use them to tie into my topics.
I also continue to give a weekly sylabus to students to keep them and myself on track of minor changes with in the schedule.
I review the course syllabus point by point with the class. In addition, during each class I review what we will cover in the next class. I also remind the class of the dates of the tests and what chapters will be covered on the test the week before the exam.
