"The first day of class sets the tone for the rest of the term .... [It is your opportunity to] convey your enthusiasm for the material and stimulate students' curiosity about topics that will be covered during the term ... create a relaxed, open classroom environment conducive to inquiry and participation ... let students know what you will expect from them and what they can expect from you and the course."

• Learning goals
• Teaching and learning strategies
• Overview of content and readings
• Assessment and grading policies
• Important dates and deadlines

You can provide this information through:

• A detailed syllabus
• A brief activity illustrating the kind of teaching and learning that will take place in the course
• A typical quiz, exam, or paper assignment, and your criteria for grading

• Name, interests, year, major
• Reasons for taking the course
• Relevant previous courses or prior knowledge
• What students hope to learn in the course
  

You can get this information by having students:

• Provide information on 3x5 cards
• Interview and introduce a classmate
• Complete an ungraded assignment or quiz to show what students already know
• Write anonymous two-minute responses at the end of class; for example:

  What's the most important thing you learned today?,

  What questions do you have about the class?

• What to call you (Professor, Dr., first name?)
• How you teach, and how you expect students to learn
• Why the subject is interesting to you
  

You can provide this information through

• Personal history of your work in this subject
• Comments from students in previous classes
• Examples that illustrate teaching strategies and ways of learning successfully in the class
• Examples showing how you apply the course content in your work or use it to solve problems

How can CIDR help?

CIDR works with faculty and TAs to help them improve the quality of teaching and learning in classes that they teach. When you are planning for the first day of class, CIDR can provide:

Individual consultation and print materials on:

• Course design
• Syllabus design
• First day teaching and learning activities

View CIDR's collection of web sites with first day of class ideas