What are some “best practices” for the first day of class?
Here are a few:
Learn as many student names as possible before the start of class.
Arrive early, familiarize yourself with the room, and greet students as they enter.
Introduce yourself.
Share your background and why you enjoy the course/discipline. Explain why this course is important, how it relates to the profession, your contact information and your preferences regarding communication.
Model how you will teach the course.
Allow students to see what they can expect for the rest of the semester.
Purposefully build student confidence and begin to establish a community.
Encourage student use of campus resources and your office hours.
Adapted from Educational Blueprints, 2018