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Office Hours: The Basics

Learn how to effectively schedule, conduct, and make the most of your office hours to support your students' needs. Follow Penn State's guidelines to create a welcoming environment and cater to various student personalities.

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Office Hours: The Basics

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  1. Introduction: April 10, 2009 Office Hours: The Basics

  2. Office Hours: The Basics • How many times? • Depends on the university. • Where? • If regularly scheduled office hours, in your office. • If by appointment, may be able to meet outside of the office. • When? • At your convenience, but keeping in mind the students' schedules.

  3. Penn State's Guidelines on Office Hours • List your office hours in your syllabus and announce them in your class. • Encourage students to see you if they need help or advice. • You should have at least one office hour per week for each course that you teach. If you have several office hours each week, it is a good idea (and some units require) that you stagger them so that they are not all within the same class period, thereby reducing the possibility that a student will not be able to make your office hours because of a class conflict.

  4. PSU Guidelines (cont.) • You should also make yourself available by appointment and be willing to extend your office hours during times of stress for your students, particularly at the beginning and end of the semester and preceding and following exams. • Inform your students where your mailbox is located, and regularly check your mailbox (and, if you have told your students that you are available by e-mail, your e-mail inbox). • Some instructors actually also set up e-mail hours, so that students know when you will be checking your messages for student queries. E-mail availability, however, is not a substitute for keeping regular office hours, which should be held on campus in your office.

  5. Considering the Student • Many students will feel differently about office hours: • The nervous student (shy) • The anxious student (worried about test) • Upset/angry student (blame you) • The apologetic student (seeking reassurance) • The defensive student (takes advice as criticism)

  6. Effective Office Hours • Involves some organization. • Beware of long, aimless, drifting discussions. • Make a commitment: • Respect the students' schedule • Make sure to be there during your regularly scheduled hours. • Avoid interruptions • Lead students to conclusions • Don't just provide them with answers. • Use questions to help guide the way. • Be aware of your body language

  7. Office Hours: Example • Seeing a student on their “turf:” • Seeing students in a less formal setting will remind you that they are individuals with their own lives outside of your class. • You might be surprised at what additional information you will learn about them. • Start at 1:19 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-INnY4y7Rq8&feature=related

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