The First Day of Class
The first day of class is a new beginning for learners and teachers alike. New beginnings invite excitement and anticipation but also some anxieties for all those involved. However, implementing a few simple activities on the first day can establish a climate that reduces anxiety, expands excitement, and channels learner enthusiasm to real learning gains throughout the semester. As you prepare for a new term, consider using some of the “First Day” strategies below. After class, reflect on how well the implemented strategies worked.
- Share and create enthusiasm about the subject matter
- Explore commonly held myths
- Introduce recent discoveries
- Pose provocative questions
- Set expectations
- Share your beliefs about teaching and learning
- Explain what you expect of yourself and of learners throughout the term
- Demonstrate those expectations on the first day
- Whatever you want learners to do during the semester, do it on the first day (discussions, group work, critical thinking, etc.) because this demonstrates to learners what the class will be like
- Ask learners to share what they hope to gain from the class
- Involve learners quickly
- Give substantial content
- Give an assignment on the first day
- Have learners submit questions that will be answered at the next meeting (submit through note cards, Blackboard, etc.)
- Provide an informative, user-friendly syllabus
- Provide an opportunity for learners to ask questions about any aspect of the class
- Invite learners to give feedback on the first day of class (e.g., on a note card, using a Blackboard survey)
- Conduct a knowledge census (a pre-test of sorts) to determine what learners already know so that you know what gaps need to be filled in
- Develop positive relationships
- Learn names
- Do an ice-breaker activity
- Reveal something about yourself
- Have learners share something about themselves
Additional resources:
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/firstday.htm