I have always hated ice breakers because they want me to talk about myself. This article shows that ice breakers don't have to be like that, they can just be used as a way to get students to work together, and get to know more about the class.
Policies and expectations as well as assignment reminders are helpful to students and you as an instructor.
I found the information about late assignments to be helpful. A clear policy stated in the syllabus and reminders will help the student get assignments in on time.
When presenting to the students it is very important to lay out a friendly professional atmosphere. Get a feel for who the students are and at the same time setting the benchmarks needed for every phase of the class. Syllabus and deadlines are the framework of the subject. We the educator fill the content in along the way.
I was impressed with the Harvard professor meeting their student with an answer and prompting them with questions to go further along with the discussion and learning experience. It also engaged the student to become a part and feel more successful. A very positive strategy!
I am instructing several courses to the surgical technology students. I am using LMS to teach the lecture part and the students then learn from the laboratory and clinical practice in the operating room. Incorporating this type of hybride program is a challenge. I now can use methods explained here to offer an active learning environment for my students. I find a long 5 hours lecture through LMS can be difficult for few students to maintain concentration. Time to time I find students to procrastinate and not engage. Creative team works and simple task through the LMS is helpful.
I like the idea of taking 20 minutes after your class to make notes about how you think your class went--why did it go smoothly and work or what you might need to change.
Also the grounded policy of late assignments--I think all students --no matter the age --will for whatever reason -have the response at some point--"Oh I didn't know this was due"
Always set due dates. The syllabus needs to specify rules on late assignments (accepted or not).
This module made a great point that it takes a multifaceted approach to truly be a great instructor. To be in that role, you must be able to know your content in depth, but also know how to deliver it effectively and manage a classroom.
I learn about clear expectations is important.
I learned that late assignments can be acceptable but you must be clear from the very beginning. Also Make a section in the syllabus about how late assignments can be submitted and how many points will be deducted. Also to send reminders as the assignments are approaching
It is important to ensure that the students understand what is expected of them in the class and what they can expect to occur during the class
Great course so far. I think the icebreaker is really good for a first class, especially if the class is the student's first experience at the university/college level. I typically divide my students in teams of 2's, 3's or 4's (depending on number of students) and they ask basis questions (what is your name, degree, where are you from and something interesting about you). Then each student introduces his/her parnter to the class. It's a fun ice-breaker and helps students get to know each other.
Good pointo to engage ur class. Outline curriculum.deadlines expectations etc from the very beginning. Using team work and class projects to strengthen the group as a whole.
Be very clear and understood before moving forward with your expectations. Be open to any questions and discussions. I wasn't aware of the WIIFM concept but, it makes perfect sense.
I'm looking forward to creating an ice breaker that may be individual at first, then utilizing a team. I also loved the "What's in it for Me?" concept. That's SO true!!! By stating how the course fits into their future career and how it will help them with their national certification, I can tie it in nicely and then continue to remind them as we go along. I also liked the reminders for assignment due dates. No excuses if I make the reminders!!
Great tips here and it is always important to remember that some stduents are overhwlemed during the first class and while going over the syllabus and course objectives - policies and suggested flow of classes, i try to look out for those that seem overhwlemed or might misundertand the points. For example, once when I mentioned that we needed to follow APA formatting on all papers - and mentned to try and not use ambiguous terms - one student replied that he felt like he was being censored. I then exp,ained why we use APA formatting (so we are all consistent and also scholarly work is clearer and more robust when we avoid ambiguosu words and use more direct or speific verbiage). That explanation helped him so much and he said something like "so rather than using the word 'hard" we might use difficult" and I replied - "exactly" - and it reminded me that his definseiveness maybe connected to feeling overhwlemed and not fully undertstanding
When selecting an activity for use in my course, I will provide students with ways they can work together to solve problems and come to common solutions. I now plan on implementing more case based studies which will encourage teamwork with their peers to help foster and develop respect for what each student brings to the class.
Great Course !! Many new things have been learned..
Setting the stage for success:
One needs to become a “ Instructional delivery expert”. Points to help me in this are:
- Keep in mind that the students have a “what’s in it for me” mentality.
- Give them the rational for learning the specific content.
- Give examples, & show examples.
- Describe & go over the syllabus in detail.
- Go over the course goals & objectives the first day.
- The first day of class will be to go over this & give the general sense of the course, & how it breaks down.
- Go over the requirements & expectations of the course.
- Be sure that all students are fitting in in all 3 ways, * cognitive, * Social, & * Psychomotor.
- My way to do this is to go over the syllabus, Do a psychomotor exercise. ( airplane exercise), & the measurement exercise. These are ice breakers as well, to get ghe students relaxed.
- Give the basis of course evaluation, as this is what the students are hungry to hear the first day. I need to be specific, go over all graded items, & the percentages of them. This is in Canvas, & will be gone over.
- Cover course procedures. How the class is structured. ( again, will go over in Canvas.). This will give them the order & methods of the class.
- My CID already has this, but I have established that no late work will be accepted, except for specific times, where it was discussed prior. ( this should not be an issue , as al assignments are on line, & will have due dates.
Sometimes the syllabus from corporate is not correct and that sets the tone from day one. I made a day one PowerPoint for new and existing students so they are aware of what the expectations are. We do an online Ice Breaker and look forward to being in person soon.
