Although the semester has already started, it is important to make the first few class meetings a positive experience for your students. These initial class sessions are an opportunity to create a constructive imprint on your students about yourself, as well as the course. During the early stages of the semester students will be making initial judgements and they begin forming first impressions, which can often remain for the duration of your course. As Will Rogers stated “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”
In addition to covering the syllabus and the expectations for student performance, there is also some other beneficial information to provide at the beginning of your course. Start by welcoming your students to the course in a positive and friendly manner. Realize that many of your students may feel nervous and this could even be their first college course. Introduce yourself and let them know how you prefer to be addressed (e.g. first name, Professor, Dr. etc.). Also, tell the students your contact information, as well as the best way for them to communicate with you. Make the learners feel that you want to help them be successful, and that you are available to answer questions and offer assistance.
As part of the course introduction, provide some information about your background and what you personally find most interesting and noteworthy about this subject matter. Additionally, begin to stimulate the students' attention by describing the overall significance of the course content. What types of questions will this course address? How does this course relate to and prepare students for other courses? How might the course materials relate to real world problems and events? How may this course be relevant and meaningful to the student’s academic, professional, and personal goals?
Creating a positive and appealing tone to launch your course will help kickoff a successful semester!
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