Getting Started – with a new class
Reviewed: February 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
Even very experienced teachers can find the first session with a new class makes them feel a bit nervous. After all, you don’t know what they’re going to be like and how well you’ll be able to work together throughout the course of the subject or module.
The first lesson gives you the opportunity to discuss the content, sequencing of activities and patterns of learner participation with your students. It is also important to demonstrate to the learners how this session relates to their program of study. It provides a ‘big picture’ focus and sets the session in context.
It takes time to work out how you need to approach helping your students learn throughout the session and what the intended learning outcomes are. The characteristics of the student group and the available resources and facilities also play an important role.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I want my students to learn?
- Why does it matter to me and to them?
- What am I going to get my students to do?
- How well do I expect them to do it?
Discuss with your learners:
- the session requirements
- what they should be able to do as a result of the course (skills, jobs etc)
- the activities and resources they will use to gain the necessary competencies
- what is expected of them (attendance, behaviour etc)
- how they will be assessed.
Settling in a new class can be a bit different depending on whether they are full time or part time students and how much of their learning is done with you and with other teachers. Even so, there are some tips and hints that you might find useful – check out the links below.
Websites
First Day of Class
A short but useful article that outlines some very simple ideas to make sure your first day with your students is effective. Getting off to a good start is important. This one is especially useful if you are working with full time students.
Introduction to Teaching Strategies
This page is dedicated to making it easier to implement a variety of teaching methods and techniques. Here you'll find scores of teaching strategies that help students take more responsibility for their own learning and enhance the process of teaching for learning.
GSU Master Teacher Program: On Learning Styles
From the Illinois State University. This file discusses briefly the four dimensions underlying the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and several teaching approaches that will appeal to different MBTI profiles.
Indiana State University: Instructional Designs and Teaching Styles
It is worthwhile to examine areas such as Instructional designs and teaching styles so that you can approach teaching in a style that your students will be most receptive to.
Publications
WEST, Eddie 1996, 201 Icebreakers. Group mixers, warm-ups, energisers, and playful activities, McGraw-Hill, USA.
This book is comprehensive. It is designed specifically for trainers, speakers, and group facilitators. It contains a wide variety of icebreakers, group mixers, warm-up activities, energizers and playful activities. The book also includes props and hand-outs that can be photocopied.