Get Your Students Hired
This doesn't always work with everyone in every class, but something that I do on day 1 is to begin a discussion on the classroom's culture and expected student and instructor behaviors. This discussion of values and norms sets expectations, and I periodically bring up our day 1 conversation throughout the term if individuals get off track. It seems help to get the students to first discuss in groups what acceptable classroom behavior looks like, then bring together in a class discussion. Instead of me telling them what they need to do, they tell themselves. Doesn't always work, but I have found success with it.
I think it is a great idea to lay a groundwork of basice rules of conduct in the classroom. The instructor tells the students what he or she expects of the students, what the students can expect from the instructor, then the students get a chance to speak up. If the students are involved with setting classroom rules, they can feel an active part of the classroom community, and they can feel their oppinions are valued.
Students should be reminded that they are in college to acquire work skills but that alone is not enough if they do not practice what they learn about the real world work environment. At least one workshop should be held especially at the beginning of a module on office etiquette.
It is important to lay the ground rules and expectations during the first class meeting and on a continuous basis. Clear goals and expectations almost always result in successful outcomes.
I think this goes along with the idea that "This is our class- not my class." When I ask students what behaviors make a good class, they usually come up with all the classroom "rules" I want them to use. I am often surprised how vehemently they voice their dislike of rude behaviors.