Great Beginnings: Things to do early on in your class

Great Beginnings: Things to do early on in your class

http://ctl.stanford.edu/handouts/PDF/great_beginnings.pdf

From the Center for Teaching and Learning at Stanford University

First Impressions

Arrive early and put information on the board

Start class on time

Hand out an informative and user-friendly syllabus (if it’s your own class)

Let your students see the enthusiasm you have for your subject

Building Community

Greet students at the door and chat with students as they arrive

Introduce yourself and your interest in the class

Tell about your current research interests and your own beginnings in the discipline

Take attendance to learn names

Use an icebreaker to help students learn each others’ names

Make collaborative assignments for several students to work on together

Course Logistics

Tell students what will be expected of them with regard to attendance, grading, participation, assignments, and late work policies

Tell students what they can expect of you with regard to office hours, reading drafts, calling on students, accessibility at home

Explain the difference between legitimate collaboration and academic dishonesty

Organize your class and provide structure by posting the day’s “menu” on the board or overhead

Challenging Students

Have students write out their expectations for the course and their own goals for learning

Hit the ground running on the first class with substantial content

Relate course material to students’ interests and experience

Give students two passages of material containing alternative views to compare and contrast

Have students apply subject matter to solve real problems

Ask students to fill in an index card telling you something about their backgrounds

Encouraging Active Learning

Have students write their questions on index cards to be collected and answered the next class

Encourage group work and active discussion to accomplish specific objectives

Put students into pairs or “learning cells” to quiz each other over material for the day

Move around your classroom

Give students a take-home problem relating to the day’s material

Remember the Golden Rules of Teaching:

Be prepared

Be honest

Be creative