first day equation...
being too confortable on the first day can also ruin your authority and credibility very quickly and can backfire at a later time
the new student generation has a very scary sence of ownership expecting everything to be served on a plate for free...
shall we keep feeding these assumptions...
This is an excellent point. I have encountered, on more than one occasion, the individual who arrives on the first day, with a morning meal, a communication device and without writing materials.
Some individuals definitely respond adversely to the more relaxed learning environment. It becomes imperative for the instructor to making a good first impression, getting control over the class and going over the expectations. This may assist in subduing some of that 'bad behavior'.
Norrisjean
LAURENT,
Using an ice breaker to start a new class is a good way to get everyone comfortable and settled into the class. Then you can move into the introduction of the class and the syllabus. This is where you show your professionalism and ability to communicate with students effectively. Out of this will come the earning of student respect if done appropriately.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree that being too comfortable and accommodating early on can damage authority in the long term. I also think that by being consistently firm but kind in re-directing those behaviors can win some trust from those students with a more apparently "entitled" attitude.
Aaron,
I agree as well. I practice this approach because I will support the learning of my students but I will not enable them. There is a big difference that sometimes they don't see when they first start college.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
