You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the first day of class sets the tone for the rest of the semester. During a CTL Office Hours session, Dr. Salena Brody, associate director of the UT Dallas Center for Teaching and Learning, offered these tips inspired by the four pillars outlined in an article by James Lang, the author of Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning.
Curiosity Sparks Engagement
Begin your first class by sharing what first fascinated you about your discipline. This not only humanizes you but also sparks students’ curiosity. Encourage students to share what interests them about the subject, setting a tone of mutual curiosity and enthusiasm for the semester.
Build Community Through Unique Icebreakers
Skip the usual icebreakers and opt for engaging tasks that get students talking and working together. For instance, try the “Birthday Paradox” where students share their birthdays to find common dates. Ask them to write their birthdays in the chat. In a class of 30, there’s a 75% chance that two people have the same birthday. See if it happens!
Start Learning Immediately
Don’t wait until the second class to start the learning process. Engage students in a cognitive task relevant to your course right away. This can be a writing exercise, a problem to solve, or a discussion topic, setting an immediate tone of active learning and involvement.
Set Clear Expectations
Clearly outline the course expectations. Explain what materials students need, how class time will be used, and what your expectations are for their participation and performance. This is crucial as students are making decisions about whether to drop the class. Address any questions they may have and provide a low-stakes activity to help them get acquainted with the syllabus.
For more details, visit the CTL Resource Center in eLearning where you will find the recording and slides.