I learned how valuable the syllabus is to set the expectations for the course so it must be well thought out when it is put together.
It's important that your course is outlined and structured via your syllabus so that students know the expectations up front. Students are more engaged when you can connect what they're learning to real-world practices. Ice-breakers are good for getting students engaged with an assignment, especially group work.
It's ideal to create an environment where students feel welcomed. Also, it's important to provide a clear picture of what the class will entail and detail straightforward expectations.
I usually start the term with Orientation. Getting to know the instructors, schedule, best way to contact and getting to know the students, their level of concentration on the course, whether they are full time students of with full time job. We read the syllabus together so i know that they fully understood the content and how they will be graded also setting the expectation and requirements to pass the course gives the students a sence of mental, emotional and financial preparation.
It is a great refresher to feel the mental status and cognitive level as a student and how can we help them to understand the curriculum, syllabus, course outcomes, assignments, rubric, and helping them to succeed.
This will be my first ever teaching endeavor in the classroom setting. I have been in the field that I will be teaching for a little over six years. I loved the ideas of the plane ice breakers. I loved the WIIFM method. Everyone is always concerned with what they are getting out of something. I think it is important to lay that out from the beginning with continual reminders during new discussions or topics. I look forward to using these methods during my first classes.
This course has helped me recognize some key things I can do to help assist with student success.
Establishing structure, expectations and relationship decreases fear and uncertainty in the student. Being a place of encouragement to share as they learn and approachable for questions increases a sense of safety and freedom to learn. Being consistent in repercussions of poor decisions decreases future battles, for example in overdue assignments.
There are several insights I took away from the module. The importance of showing students what's in it for them when going over the course. For my own growth as an instructor, after each class I should write down what worked and what didn't work, also, what I thought would happen vs what actually happened. To get students to "buy into" the course I should get the emotionally involved with the study material. Students need to function in 3 areas of learning and behavior if they are to have success: cognitive, social and psychomotor. Classroom activities should include teamwork because it helps to develop respect for what each student brings to the class.
Comment on Nicholas Valiquette's post: It's also my first year teaching, as well. I was surprised when the module said that we had to be the salesperson for the course, but it makes total sense when it discussed the "what's in it for me" model.
I have used a "Getting to Know You" sheet at the beginning of the school year to help me to get to know them and for them to know each other (particularly my 9th graders). I share my sheet with them that I have completed so that they get to know me as well. It was good to know that my syllabus that I have created for my students incorporates visual elements to keep the students engaged with the content. I do like the psychomotor activity and I think that is something that I am going to do with my classes next year!
To be clear and concise in your syllabus! And layout the expectation up front.
It is critical to success to be upfront in expectations; while letting the students know that you will be there for them in every way possible to achieve success. Describe the course and learning objectives in detail so there are no mysteries. Students learn better when they know what to expect. And always take into account external issues may have come about if a student may have difficulty completing assignments. This part is done due to the fact that life happens, and as teachers we are more than a lesson plan. We are mentors.
be transparent with your students.
From this module, I learned how important it is to set clear expectations and create a positive classroom environment. The sections on requirements and expectations and handling late assignments gave me practical strategies to keep things organized.
I also found the focus on instructional delivery helpful for engaging different learning styles. Moving forward, I plan to create a detailed syllabus to outline what’s expected and develop better strategies for addressing late assignments.
thanks for the information . It is good to know that ice breaker can work with this generation that is in class today . most are distracted by cell phones.
Getting to know our students and understanding each of their situations is important.
I learned to always focus on what's in it for the students. I learned the importance of a syllabus, how it dictates in many ways the students' experience of the course.
I learned that teamwork should be included in your syllabus.
Team collaboration is something that all students should use no matter what field they should enter
I have learned, as an up and coming educator, that it is very important to make a genuine connection with your students, and to help them connect with each other. I have learned that one way to do this is to introduce the Syllabus for the course on the first day and to go over it completely. The syllabus should include: Course goals, objectives, topics and policies. There needs to be a clear expectation of the students and how I can help them achieve this. It is important to allow each student to add input and ask questions so that they have a thorough understanding of what is expected of them and how they can achieve success in my course. Important dates need to be made clear to everyone so that no one has any excuse for missing these dates and turning in late assignments as well as the repercussions if a student does so. This is something that needs to be deterred before it gets started. I have learned that to help a student be successful in my class each student needs to function within 3 areas of learning and behavior and these are, cognitive, social, and psychomotor.
