“The first day of class is crucial!
It can be a deal maker or breaker, so plan for success.”

Faculty Development Workshop Purpose and Focus

1. To develop the expertise (knowledge, skills, and dispositions) needed to insure that instructors and their students will survive and thrive the first day of class, personally and professionally
2. To explore strategies that establish a class “community” conducive to learning
3. To minimize “first day anxiety” for instructors and students
4. To maximize the chance that all students will return for the second class and successfully complete the course, rather than drop the course

Overview

Since no one gets a second chance to make a first impression, it is essential to put forth your best efforts in preparing for a successful first day of class.  First impressions matter and are long lasting.

Top 17 Learning Objectives

By successfully completing this workshop, participants should be able to demonstrate their ability to formulate plans and attitudes for a successful first day of class (and thus semester) for themselves and their students. This will be evident as participants:

1. Create and prioritize their before-the-first-day-of-class “To Do List” (of numerous tasks, policies, routine class procedures, and decisions) that help ensure a successful first day of class.
2. Create a sequential “To Do List” for the first day of class.
3. Draft a “Welcome Letter” to students, and discuss pros and cons of sending it prior to the first day of class.
4. Share first day “ice-breakers”.
5. Share tips and reasons for quickly learning the name of every student in class.
6. Develop strategies for establishing a positive rapport with students.
7. Develop strategies that help create a classroom “learning community”.
8. Draft a self-introduction.
9. Create a framework, or template, for students’ self-introductions.
10. Compare and contrast predicted results of teaching when circulating the classroom as opposed to sitting behind the instructor’s desk.
11. Discuss strategies that help ensure that students read the course syllabus.
12. Articulate and prioritize major course objectives or behavioral outcomes.
13. Articulate reasons for selecting textbook(s) and/or other instructional materials.
14. Discuss ways to avoid common mistakes many instructors make.
15. Explore pros, cons, and types of homework assignments.
16. Establish a routine for ending each class.
17. Develop strategies that entice students to return for the next class.

Handouts

Titles

1. Nomenclature:  First Day Definitions
2. Best Practices in Preparing for the First Day of Class
3. Best Practices to Implement on the First Day of Class
4. Tips:  How to Quickly Remember Students’ Names
5. Tips:  Instructor’s Avoidable Mistakes
6. Sample:  Welcome Letter to Students
7. Sample:  First Day of Class Handouts
8. Quotations:  First Day of Class
9. References and Resources:  First Day of Class
10. Webliography:  First Day of Class Internet Resources

This faculty development workshop is available to serve as
Professional Development Hours.

Each participant, who successfully completes this
faculty development workshop,
will be awarded a “Certificate of Completion”.

Click to Contact Dr. Nesnick
or
E-mail:  Victoria@VictoriaNesnick.com
or
Phone:  (631) 889-2178