How to make the most out of the first day of class!

1. How to make the most out of the first day of class! Janice MacMillan Focus on Learning August, 2012

2. Reflection Think about a first class in a course that went really well (as a teacher or as a student). What happened in that class to make it go so well?

3. Session Objectives • Reflect upon the importance of the first class. • Identify key goals and activities for the first class. • Share ideas about student and teacher expectations for an effective learning environment.

4. Primary Goals • To answer student questions • course content • administrative details • To set the tone for the semester • To begin to build a community of learners

5. Course Content & Admin. Details • Clarify course learning outcomes and expectations • Inform students of course requirements/evaluation/feedback • Inform students of administrative or logistical procedures • Review syllabus/course outline

6. Setting the Tone • Make effective introductions • Show your credibility • Qualifications, experience, teaching philosophy, something personal, etc. • Demonstrate learning strategies • Develop classroom guidelines • Arrangement of physical space

7. Building a Community of Learners • Help students learn about you as well as each other • Collect student baseline data • current knowledge • motivation (readiness to learn) • Whet students’ appetites • Help to build relationships

8. Activity • 7 minutes to brainstorm points related to your topic • Pass your flipchart paper to the next group • 5 minutes to read items and add your group’s thoughts • Pass your flipchart paper to the next group • 5 minutes for final round

9. Student ExpectationsFaculty Expectations • Each group will brainstorm a list of expectations • Group 1 - Yourself as the teacher • Group 2 - Yourself as a student • Group 3 – Ideas for Class Code of Conduct

10. Our Classroom Environment • Attendance/Punctuality • Participation • What does respect mean in our classroom? • How we can minimize distractions? • Teamwork • Academic Integrity Managing Classroom Incivility

11. Learning Students’ Names • Name tents • Sit in same seat • Give name before speaking • Photographs • Descriptive adjectives with name • Other ideas????

12. Ice Breaker Activities • Help people to feel more comfortable with themselves and others • Breaks up cliques • Reduces students’ feeling of anonymity • Adds fun and energy • Suggestions??? Icebreaker Link

13. Take Aways…. • List at least three “take-aways” from this session. What ideas/activities/strategies are you going to incorporate into your first class?

14. Review Time!!! • The puzzle ??????

15. Puzzle Answers • Across • 2 – icebreaker • 7 – syllabus • 9 – motivation • 10 – outcomes

16. Puzzle Answers • Down • 1- feedback • 3 – communication • 4 – physical • 5 – evaluation • 6 – qualifications • 8 – attendance www.puzzlemaker.com

17. Session Objectives • Reflect upon the importance of the first day of class. • Identify key goals and activities for the first class. • Share ideas about student and teacher expectations. Reference The First Day – Honolulu Community College