Get Your Students Hired
I find that in my classes, the intro classes are regarded as something they just have to take to get to the fun stuff. I have been trying to research and develop ways of making even the intro classes worthwhile. I can't think of a time when I haven't been able to take something away from something that seemed introductory. Often, there is so much information to take in the first time that there are pieces that are missed.
I try to make each class a little bit different, due to the make up of the students, however even that doesn't seem to be enough. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this even more inspriring for students?
Hi Jennifer,
I like this approach. I teach a required general course and I work very hard to get the students invested in the course so they will see application of its' content to their future. By letting them individually research a topic and have fun with the assignment they can see the value of what they are studying.
Gary
What we have been doing in our introductory courses is to find a project or assignment that gives the student excitement so he or she is actively engaged in the process. Sometimes they are fun and silly, other times we let the student pick their subject, something that is important to them so they see meaning in it.
Bobbi,
I teach accounting and tax courses. My first day activity involves a case that encompasses what they will be learning throughout the course. For example, in Tax, I give them a case of a family (Where they live, jobs, kids, and information relating to financial items), then I put them into groups, tell them this family would like them to do their taxes this year and have them come up with a list of what items they think they should bring to the tax meeting. We convene as a class and as each group contributes items on their list, I put them on the board under the Tax Form they will be filed on. When we get done, I tell them by the end of the quarter they will know how to fill out each one of these forms. This activity gives them confidence for things they already know, the chance to meet others in the course the first night and excitement for the course content.