Teaching your first class of the semester

For your first class

The planning has been done and now it is time to deliver your first class. Are you ready?

The first class sets the tone for the semester. Make the first class count. See below a quick checklist for the day.

  • Introduce yourself (name, work email, background, work experience, study interests). Don’t forget to consider your wardrobe and appearance and make sure it is appropriate for your teaching area.
  • Make a strong start (include information such as an outline of the unit and objectives, what’s going to happen, etc.).
  • Talk to the group about your expectations of them, and ask about what expectations they have of you.
  • Consider getting the group to establish a set of ground-rules for their class.
  • Establish the ground rules regarding punctuality, attendance, use of mobile phones, group activities and the like at the beginning of the tutorial.
  • Discuss the unit outline and/or unit objectives.
  • Explain the choice of textbook/readings, and the relationship of readings to lectures and/or tutorials.
  • Introduce material that gives the flavour of the class, and connect it with programs or experiences that students have already had.
  • Discuss a core idea, pose a typical problem, or ask students to complete a group exercise. By moving into the unit material, you're telling students that the course is well organised, well-paced and worthwhile.
  • Ask the students questions, and get them to ask questions. Establish a give-and-take atmosphere.
  • Consider if you will have an icebreaker or warm-up activity. If so, have an icebreaker prepared, for example, set an introductory group learning activity that helps the students get to know each other and reduces the de-personalisation that can be associated with large classes. By establishing interactive expectations from the outset, you also provide a framework for the students’ new learning environment, helping them to understand that learning is not a passive activity.

The next page provides some examples of icebreaker activities.