Approaching students while taking into consideration the different ways they think, work, and function is reassuring to students, thereby reducing the stress they may be feeling. Being realistic and fair while also providing reasonable explanations for actions is most helpful.In other words, consider how I would wish to be treated and apply that.
Setting multiple reminders for due dates. Set the missed assignment standards. There will always be a 10% variable of missed assignments and not always from the same students.
I always have an icebreaker for the first meeting of class. I ask the students to find a new friend and interview them, using the hand-out that I give them. Questions include some background information about themselves and then reasons for taking this class. Students introduce their new friend by the answers they received. I also agree that the syllabus needs to be specific, including learning outcomes, course topics to be discussed, an explanation of course assignments, grading, and participation. I liked the idea of included information about missed or late assignments.
