Use many methods to make your syllabus interesting to the student and team building activities to use as ice breakers and learning experiences.
I am getting ready to teach my first class but it is with a group of instructors. Unfortunately I am going to miss the first week of lecture due to a work trip. I will miss the icebreaker and part of the bonding for our 3 week course. The big thing for me when I get back is to reiterate what has been taught by the other teachers and continue to instill that standards such as the syllabus. During my phases of lecture I will let the learners know what they need to know and how to apply it to their own respective careers.
It is important to set your expectations for the class early/day 1. I think the quicker you can relate to your students to develop a good rapport, the quicker they will begin to respond accordingly to your expectations, which then naturally increases their engagement.
What I've learned so far is how to prepare better for the class instead of just going in and talking but to really delve a little deeper to help the students understand as well as make them think about how they would do it out in the field.
Posting assignment due dates on the board daily with constant reminders.
I enjoy thinking about teaching from the students perspective. I personally love being a student and remember my best teachers.
Very Useful, already doing some of the suggestions
Setting multiple reminders for due dates. Set the missed assignment standards.I will always remember that rule
I have learned from this course how to make my students understand the course material, expectations and timelines and how to engaged my students in class by introducing the course using icebreakers and engaging my students in exercises that can help them understand the course material.
I will have everything written out and students will sign for it. I will put key points on the board in class also.
I like the importance of a good icebreaker. Something someone else mentioned was interviewing a new student and teaching the rest of the class about them.
I've learned that assignment due dates are very important for students to be well aware of, in syllabus, on board, and verbal reminders
Clearly defining expectations of course and have clearly defined due dates is one area that I realized I could improve!
I love icebreakers on the first day or couple of days of class. I have learned that it really helps them to open up and work as a team. I also didn't realize that the number one issue with students is not knowing the due date. I am going to double up on posting due dates inside the google classroom and inside my actual classroom to see if that will make a difference on missing deadlines this year.
Organization and engagement for me have been key for teaching adults. As an adult learner myself, I felt that the more I got to know my fellow (much younger) classmates the quicker I learned. I try to engage students for that very reason!
Getting to know your students individually can help improve their success. I try to relate to them in different ways to create that connection. I find it helps with their interest in the course and their overall success.
I will using the syllabus template I use at the college level and the high school level. It have all the policy stated, but I will have to do some editing to match the high school requirements.
The importance of stating the late/missed assignment rule in the syllabus.
Ice breakers on the first day of class can be helpful. Also, communicate expectations and policies clearly to set them on a path of success.
