In regard to meeting the class for the first time, this module ws much more than I expected. I have had many new classes in the 7 years I have been teaching, however a few new things that I learned & will be implementing, that I am not already, will be:
The very first thing:
- Making sure my first impression is the best it can be.
- Greet each student by name the first day.
- Look at Cohort groups to identify social dinamics of the group.
Have a to do list:
- I use these, but will take it to a much deeper detail, to help keep me on track.
Things that I am currently doing, but will revisit, & improve on:
- Intro of myself, & dive deeper into my career & experience.
- Let them know that I am accessable.
- Hand out syllabus.
- Show the required text book, & discuss materials needed by the student.
- Spend a bit more time on overviewing the course & its requirements. The road map fo rthis will be the syllabus.
- Discuss how to study for the classes. IE: Study guides.
- Confirm how both lecture & lab time will be spent.
- Discuss lab schedules & expectations.
- Discuss emergency proceedures.
In regard to motiviating students, things that I will be doing / doing better:
- Discuss the value of the course. How they will use it.
- Discuss the expectation of their success, & how it will be of gret value in the field.
- Show them examples of how their preformance now, will show reward later in industry.
- Discuss how the criteria is reasonable, & is based on industry standards.
Additional items I will be considering.
- Doing the pre-test on measuring. ( not graded).
- Try to learn students names better. It takes me time, & with a larger group coming up, this will be more difficult. Maybe a seating chart, or name cards, to start with.
- To end the first day of class, I will strive to, make sure the student are clear with the class structure, that they hare not stranges to the rest of the class, let them know that I do care about their learning, & instailling in them that the class will be valuable, & enjoyable.
