Make the rules clear the first day
This way there is no confusion if you ask them to change something because they are not following the rules.
If you set your expectations/rules the first day it is much easier to run the class the rest of the term you have them. students will understand thier part of what is expected of them and how they should act in class. if you dont do this on the frist day, the class may be harder to control
This is very important so the students know exactly what is expected of them from the beginning.
On the first days of class, instructor and student inroductions are made, the syllabus is thoroughly covered, classroom expectaions and rules are covered in detail, the dress code policy is discussed through a PowerPoint presentation, exam format is discussed and students are encouraged to ask questions about anything that they did not understand.
By making the rules clear the very first day, there is no assuming!! We all know the how that saying goes. If students know exactly what to expect and how the class will be ran, they don't have to do any guessing.
I agree it is up to the instructor to set the expectations of the course with the syllabus and letting students know the instructor is there to help them be successful in the course. This can be done by letting students know instructor office hours and tutoring provided by the college.
It is best to get it all on the table. I will typically discuss the cell phone issues, and explain why we have the rule for no cell phones. Also, I tell them the time is with the class and myself not with the caller. This is their quality time to learn and think.
Claudia--
You are correct...students should clearly understand both the expectations and the support systems available to them.
Susan
Richard--
Your post makes a great point about a student's class time being for 'them'...this is a time for them to do something special for themselves--learn!
Susan
Its definitely important to discuss the issues with any technology use during class that might be a distraction to their learning and others around them. I think that we live in such a high tech time that students fail to realize that there is an appropriate time and place for cell phones and laptop use.
Alberta--
You are absolutely correct. Students are 'wired' and used to using it all the time. Teaching them the appropriate times is key as this will be an issue at work as well.
Susan
Communicating rules is important, but we've found that when students have 3 or 4 classes on that first day and everyone is essentially saying the same thing regarding rules, over time students tend to blow off the first day believing that the first day is only going to be a repeated recitation of the rules so why bother to attend. To combat this we've tried to focus on having students learn about one another during the first few days of class. We talk about not only the curriculum of the course, but of clubs and student organizations in an effort to bond students to the institution. The rules are embedded throughout the first week and we try to be consistent in classroom "rules" so that students receive the same information from everyone.
Susan--
You are correct...students tend to disregard the first day if there isn't something meaningful that happens. Rules and syllabus review is important. Actually getting in to some of the material is even better. Some in this discussion actually have the opportunity to do some sort of hands-on lab which is a great first day exercise.
Susan
Explain that rules are there to encourage a good learning environment, not to enforce the will of the Instructor on the students.Let them know that you really care that they learn and, most importantly, that they enjoy the educational experience. Many students have never really enjoyed school and are prepared to dislike the class. They need to feel like they are going into a new, happy experience.
James--
That is an excellent point. Somehow, we've learned to not associate fun with learning... and it certainly can be!
Susan
Rules are important but, the rules can only be enforced if all of the team members are on board. I see that many of our instructors are more worried about having the students liking them then following the rules. It is very difficult to enforce the rules in a class if the instructor before you didn't follow the rules.
the rules of the school are important you have to set the line that can't be crossed the student will have a clear idea of whats allowed and not allowed just as and employer would do on your first day at work i tell the student this is your job for the next 13 months and you will be held accountable for your actions.just like the real world!!!
I agree. One quarter I was not clear about my expectations of the students and I suffered for it all quarter.
I wound up having to reel them in time after time. I spent more time trying to get my course back than I did teaching. Lesson learned.
Paul--
Excellent! Education should be more than just the technical part of how to perform the tasks--it is also our opportunity to acclimate them to the real work environment. So things like dependability, attendance, attitude, etc. are additional skills we should be providing.
Susan
Well, first I give a little bio on why I facilitate the course. Then I go over the syllabus - everything from the textbook, to classroom behavior (cell phones going off) , grading policy, things to avoid like plagiarism, and the assignments expectations to make sure everything is clear. This sets the stage for questions and answers.
If some students do not know how to research peer reviewed journal, I take them all to the library for an introduction.
Tiffany
