Arrive early. Chat with students before class starts. Interacting with students in this way will make them more likely to participate in class and to ask questions. Make sure that the room is ready and set up any necessary equipment. It is also important to visit the classroom at least a week in advance to check on seating arrangements, to see how the equipment works, and, not least important, to be sure you know where the classroom is. Introduce yourself. Put your name and the course title on the board. Tell the students who you are and what you do. Explain the course organization, requirements, major assignments, and policies.Students will feel more comfortable if you are organized and prepared. Having a well-written, detailed syllabus ready to hand out on the first day is essential (see Preparing a Syllabus). Mention course pre-requisites if there are any. Talk about the workload of the course, e.g., number of exams, number and length of papers, number of books to read. Review your office hours and contact information. Take the time to explain in detail all policies, including those regarding attendance, academic integrity, grades, and requests for extensions or rescheduling of quizzes and exams. Make clear to students their responsibility to adhere to the University Policy on Academic Integrity, as well as the actions you will take if they do not. At the same time, indicate that you will answer any questions that they may have about such issues as how to attribute credit for borrowed ideas and how to distinguish between individual and collaborative work. Explain your expectations for class participation.Give students a sense of your teaching style and your expectations for their involvement. If attendance and class participation are required, make that clear to the students and let them know how you will keep track of attendance (and whether they are permitted to miss any classes without penalty), as well as whether and how you will grade participation. It is also helpful to explain to students why you value attendance and participation. Create interest in the course material.A successful first day will leave students interested in taking the course and learning the material. Present your vision, or overview, of the course. Relate the course topic to current applications or issues. Communicate to the students your sense of why the topic should be studied and understood. |