Thursday, August 16, 2007
The vexing question of first-day assignments
Over the past few weeks I spent quite a bit of time in the "thinking room" of my secret island hideout pondering the first day of class. I have always thought that the first and last day of classes should be special, and need to frame the rest of the class by setting the context for the substantive content provided in the rest of the days. It's not an abstract thought, either-- I'm restructuring my PR curriculum. It's going to affect the whole course, so the first day will be all-new.Every prof has their own style, of course. Some barely show up the first day, while others keep the class late. Still others seek to use the first day to define the students' feelings about the class (ie, fear). From what I have seen, there are three basic ways to approach the first day of class in college or graduate school (the second of which is the one I have usually chosen):
1) The Traditional Method
Hand out the syllabus. Intone some elementary rules for class. Perhaps introduce self and others. End early. Admittedly, this bare-bones approach has some advantages-- especially at schools where people are class-shopping early in the quarter.
2) The Special Method
Introduce themes of the class in a dynamic way. Illustrate with stories. Use some reading to make the point. Call on students to help them define the broad messages of the class. End on time.
3) The Regular-Day Method
Treat the first day the same as every other day-- use readings and call on students to cover the first full day of doctrinal material. End on time or a little late.
So, which is best? What should I do?
Comments:
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just use it as a regular class day-- no one cares about "context" or "Inspiration." They just don't want to tell you that.
# posted by 
: 12:51 PM
: 12:51 PM
Make it a regular day and save the day when you do little and let folks leave early for the end of the quarter, when it is much, much more appreciated.
# posted by : 1:15 PM
: 1:15 PM
I prefer the second method. I like to have a general concept of what we will accomplish during the quarter. It helps me learn better. And after four months away from classes, I could use some inspiration to get me going.
Introduce yourself.
Hand out the Syllabus.
Play that game that everyone has played on the first day of SOMETHING, where you have to draw a picture of your first and last name, then you make others guess what your name is....
BUT this comes with a WARNING... Playing this game on the first day of Beloit College, for a guy I know named Jon Fox, resulted in (because of his lack of artistic ability) four years of being called T.H. by EVERYONE.... so much that few people knew his real name... What they DID know that he was T.H. and that it stood for "Toilet Horse." He is an attorney now in Chicago I think... T.H., Esq.
Then Give them the list of stuff they can do for extra credit. Like cleaning out your post vacation automobile.
Then hand out gummy bears and call it a day.
Hand out the Syllabus.
Play that game that everyone has played on the first day of SOMETHING, where you have to draw a picture of your first and last name, then you make others guess what your name is....
BUT this comes with a WARNING... Playing this game on the first day of Beloit College, for a guy I know named Jon Fox, resulted in (because of his lack of artistic ability) four years of being called T.H. by EVERYONE.... so much that few people knew his real name... What they DID know that he was T.H. and that it stood for "Toilet Horse." He is an attorney now in Chicago I think... T.H., Esq.
Then Give them the list of stuff they can do for extra credit. Like cleaning out your post vacation automobile.
Then hand out gummy bears and call it a day.
# posted by : 1:37 PM
: 1:37 PM
combine 2 and 3. I always resented the "leave early" profs. Looked like they were just mailing it in.
I agree that context and inspiration can be overrated. I wasn't interested in the Prof's "view of life, the universe and everything." I wanted to know what was expected of me and whether I would learn anything.
Set expectations and tone right away so there's no guessing. There's nothing wrong with saying something about yourself so students know what's going on, and that can be done in an inspirational way.
I agree that context and inspiration can be overrated. I wasn't interested in the Prof's "view of life, the universe and everything." I wanted to know what was expected of me and whether I would learn anything.
Set expectations and tone right away so there's no guessing. There's nothing wrong with saying something about yourself so students know what's going on, and that can be done in an inspirational way.
# posted by : 3:39 PM
: 3:39 PM
I think you should add costumes to method #2.
Additionally, depending on exactly which course you are thinking about, it would be a nice touch to add that 'You WILL get a 10 minute break everyday before this class. In the event that the previous session should run over, please feel free to make a pit stop, get a drink or scarf down a mini-snickers bar and then we will begin.' Your students will then be so grateful that not only will they want to prepare and contribute, they might even wash your car and walk your dog.
Additionally, depending on exactly which course you are thinking about, it would be a nice touch to add that 'You WILL get a 10 minute break everyday before this class. In the event that the previous session should run over, please feel free to make a pit stop, get a drink or scarf down a mini-snickers bar and then we will begin.' Your students will then be so grateful that not only will they want to prepare and contribute, they might even wash your car and walk your dog.
# posted by : 4:18 PM
: 4:18 PM
In my limited experience, 2 will make your students think your crazy enthusiastic, which inst bad, mostly.
3 is probably the "best" answer. But, no student likes "that guy". You always hear students complain about that ONE teacher who acted like it was a normal day and assigned stuff. Like I said, Best, although the students don't like it - but they'll get over it.
I prefer one.
3 is probably the "best" answer. But, no student likes "that guy". You always hear students complain about that ONE teacher who acted like it was a normal day and assigned stuff. Like I said, Best, although the students don't like it - but they'll get over it.
I prefer one.
# posted by : 4:36 PM
: 4:36 PM
3:18--
Hey, that's kind of interesting. I always just assume there is a ten-minute break when I walk in. I guess that is a false assumption.
Hey, that's kind of interesting. I always just assume there is a ten-minute break when I walk in. I guess that is a false assumption.
Are you telling me that I'm going to be the last person that gets to talk about the Mona Lisa with a mustache and attempt to translate french in PR?
# posted by : 5:25 PM
: 5:25 PM
I agree with IPlaw guy. I like to know what is expected of me and what I will be learning from the beginning. I also think most students are curious about their professors' views, but be careful not to come off too partial. This can sometimes cause students to think of their professor as a preacher.
Good luck!
Good luck!
After watching your video on the "Idgit" voter, it's clear that your message should be simple, with little verbiage, and prominently displayed on a nerf ball which can be passed around the room for discussion purposes. I also recommend that the class last no more than 5 minutes because you do not want to lose the attention of the class. Remember: they do fill out student evaluations at the end of the quarter. You don't want to upset them.
# posted by : 9:26 PM
: 9:26 PM
First Day: Combine all three, plus make everyone stand up and introduce themselves, tell where their from, and their sign (just kidding)
On a completely unrelated note, I got a new job!!!!!!!
I'm going back to the trenches. I start in the adult ICU at Prov. Wish me luck, it's been awhile since I've done it, but I'm very excited. If I post at 4 am, it's not insomnia....
The CL will be pulling a little more Mr. Mom, but he's excellent at it. I've never known a man who knows how to use a crockpot and dustbuster, and knows all the words to High School Musical.
On a completely unrelated note, I got a new job!!!!!!!
I'm going back to the trenches. I start in the adult ICU at Prov. Wish me luck, it's been awhile since I've done it, but I'm very excited. If I post at 4 am, it's not insomnia....
The CL will be pulling a little more Mr. Mom, but he's excellent at it. I've never known a man who knows how to use a crockpot and dustbuster, and knows all the words to High School Musical.
# posted by : 9:50 PM
: 9:50 PM
Oops, that was supposed to be where they're from, sorry. I was a little excited :)
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# posted by : 10:44 PM
: 10:44 PM << Home
