Teaching online for the very first time? Here are some tips for your very first session to start things off right.
Get students talking from the start. Greet every student as they come into the session, even before class formally starts. Instead of launching right into a lecture, take some time in the first session to let your students check in with an icebreaker or two. In smaller classes you can have a conversation; in larger classes you could have a prompt like “What are three words that describe how you’re feeling?” (or "...describe your interest in the course?"). Call on them directly, by name. This gives you a chance to check everyone’s connection and microphone, and sets the tone for a participatory class, so students don’t feel like they’re just passively watching TV.
Let students know how to interact. If they have a question, should they raise their hand, type a question in the chat, or just speak up? Decide these things in advance, and then communicate those norms to the students. In courses with lots of interaction and debate, set aside time for a norm-setting activity. If you get partway into class and your plan doesn’t seem to be working, don’t be afraid to revisit your expectations.
Check in with your students regularly. In a classroom you may have relied on students’ body language to tell you when they were engaged or tuning out. This can be harder to do organically during a web conference. We have a resource for ways you can check to see how your students are doing. After the session, invite feedback and suggestions for improvement via direct messages or on a Canvas discussion board. Make sure your second session reflects student feedback so they know you're listening.
Start with the familiar, then translate. If you previously taught in person, were there things you did in every class session? Adapting those familiar things for web conference can provide you and your students with something that feels familiar.
Go easy on course content in the first session: Adjusting to this format can take time, for the reasons already mentioned. Plan less lecture content and discussion than you might for a first in-person session. Students will have a better experience if they don't feel rushed, and have time for lots of questions. Go easy on them...and on yourself!
Other Resources
- The First Day of Class—Harvard's Bok Center for Teaching & Learning
Why do students skip reading the syllabus?
For students, starting a class can feel like drinking out of a fire hydrant. There is a lot to take in and students may not read the syllabus until they feel like they need to -- but sometimes, that’s too late! As the instructor of your course, you can dedicate time to going over the syllabus and making sure your students understand its importance.
Below is an overview of ways you can encourage your students to engage with and read your syllabus:
Using Day 1
Use a portion of your day 1 class to review your syllabus and go through your Canvas course. Spotlighting your syllabus and what you’ve built out in Canvas will help establish to your students where key information is and reminds them how important this living document is!
Make a Scavenger Hunt or Syllabus Quiz:
Have your students complete a scavenger hunt or a syllabus quiz. The hunt or quiz can include questions like:
- Where can I find the weekly readings?
- How do I ask questions about course logistics or course content?
- How do I ask questions about my grade or other private matters?
The answers can be multiple choice and, depending on the feel of your class, can be funny! These questions should not be designed to be hard, but should be designed so that students will only know the answers if they read through your syllabus. You can make this quiz count for a small amount towards their participation or assignment grade.
Rethink the Syllabus: Make a Course Orientation Module
The syllabus is a useful document that gives your students a packaged overview of the course, its topics, and its assignments. Canvas, your learning management system, has “Modules” that allow you to group together your course elements. Consider making a Course Orientation modules where you can break out your syllabus into separate pages and topics. The end of the module can culminate in the quiz mentioned above. This makes the information in your syllabus more navigable and gives students a way to find information about a specific topic more easily.
Need help or want to talk through your syllabus? Schedule an appointment with our team here.