Hi Jeremy,
Students love visuals, and you cover visual from both processes. The syllabus is always a good reference tool as well.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rita,
I like how you do a super job trying to ease your students fear off the bat! Continue to be consoling to your students.
Patricia Scales
I use a syllabus as well as writing all current assignments on the board at the beginning of each class.
I like to make our research subjects as interesting as possible. When assigning our research projects, while staying within our syllabus, I encourage my students to pick topics that they are passionate about and that speaks to them. I touch basis with them while they are in the discovery process and make sure that their projects will be appropriate for the course, presentation and demonstrates professionalism.
I go over requirement listed in our syllabus and how they apply to real world situations. Explain in detail why it is important to start with a solid fountation and have good study/work habits, which will ultimately lead to being more productive and securing a better more rewarding position in their new career!
I appreciate through this course being reminded how all students need this information, not only the more nervious students. We all are fearful of the unknown. If I can take away any anxiety initally they can get to the meat and potatoes of learning and better enjoy the material.
Hi Heidi,
Fantastic way of grabbing the students attention by using various formats on the calendar.
Patricia Scales
I always use the syllabus. I love the idea of creating a class calendar with deadline dates that are highlighted, underlined, in bold print and larger font.
Follow the syllabus and discuss with students the due dates of all the activitie. I also like tend to allow time for questions concerning any of the course content.
I always have clear course requirements in writting and cover every detail verbally in class
Hi Noah,
You have it! The signed document is proof in the pudding. Their faces are pricelss when you present them with the signed document, "Oh yes you did know; you signed this."
Patricia Scales
Hi Jennifer, I also go over the class syllabus on day 1, expressing the importance of the due dates for particular assignments. I have not had my students sign a form stating they understand the syllabus, but I like this idea. I think I will start doing this with my next class. It gets frustrating hearing students say "I didn't know" when you know darn well you went over it on day 1. Now when I hear those famous words, I can hold up their signed contract and say "Yes you did" :)
Hi Sean,
Very thorough ways to ensure your students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
On the first day of class, I have a powerpoint presentation for my new students that goes over required training. I have them go through their paperwork at the same time so there is no question as to what they need to complete in order to be successful in my class. This is followed by a brief Q&A to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Hi Ian,
I like the idea of reviewing with students on a daily basis one requirement that is expected of them. Your students can not play the card, "I did not know."
Patricia Scales
Hi Jean,
Students are more at ease when they know exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
I do the same, Boyd. In my weekly agendas, I have a section called "Why come back?" I list upcoming activities.
Ms. Scales, I also like to use the board frequently. I am no artist, but students enjoy my doodling.
Sheryl, I follow the syllabus too. If there is a reason to change anything, I discuss it with my class first for input. I also like to discuss past student experiences (no names!)with assignments so students can learn from prior successes / challenges.
It honestly comes down to repetition.
Reminding students on a daily basis, as a group, what the requirements are keeps these at the forefront in their minds.
I will go over all the requirements on the first day of class. Every day after that we will than review one requirement to ensure that we are all still on the same page and maintaining the requirements as set forth. This also opens up dialogue in order to ensure that requirements are clear and the student fully understands them.
I review the syllabus with the students at the start of a new class. I ask them if they have any concerns at that time and if they do to let me know. I also write the schedule on the board for any test, quiz, homework that is due and library research projects. They then make the notes on the syllabus. At the end of every hour we review what we just did and touch on what we are going to do the next hour. Then at the end of the day we re cap the information covered throughout the day and what is going to be covered the following day.
