Setting the Tone…

I’ve been trying to consider what sort of tone simply handing out a syllabus and ending class creates.  I am positive that it does not get you excited about the semester or the material or the class.  I actually have felt really overwhelmed on my first days because all I do is sit and listen to all of the work that I’m going to have to do and what is expected of me.  I usually end the day feeling pretty stressed out. 

At the same time, just jumping head first into the material would also feel overwhelming.

The approach that Dr. Gurung takes to the first day of class is in the minority.  You could feel his energy and excitement for the material that he would be sharing this semester.   First impressions was a part of the lecture discussion and a part of our TA discussion today.  Dr. Gurung has clearly put a lot of thought into the first impressions he wants to give of himself and of the class. 

I really liked the use of the cuteness study to explain what sort of notes the student should be taking.  If I had never had a class with him before I doubt that I would have written down the points of that study.  I thought it was incredibly effective to make an example of that by waiting until later and asking how many students wrote down the points of that study/story.  It would have been less impactful to have prefaced the story by saying something like, “I’m about to tell a relevant story.”  I think it’s important to be upfront with students about logistical things like what to take notes on.  Each professor tests differently and has different expectations about what their students should take from the class.  I think it is unfair for a professor to assume that a student will be able to predict what is important to them. 

The expectations of the students were made clear in other ways too.  For example, the repetition of the three major points to take away from that lecture and giving them two questions to be able to answer after their readings.  These kind of expectations and pointers take the stress of guess work off the student.  Specifying these types of expectations are much more valuable than spending an hour discussing rules about not texting or talking during class or reading the entire semester schedule to your students. 

I think the format of yesterday’s class worked well.  I think beginning each day with a song helps create a more relaxed atmosphere.  Before our TA meeting today, I never realized that it acted as a timer for the professor.  I think that is a great idea!  It’s nice to not have to watch a professor up there looking at the clock every two seconds.  The music also removes the chance for uncomfortable silences and allows people to feel like they can talk before class.  I’ve been in classes before were students would sit and whisper to each other or not talk at all for the five or so minute before class.  Beginning the class in that way (silently) most likely contributes to a lack of class participation. 

I also thought about whether or not Dr. Gurung should take the photographs of the students.  I think it’s very important that he does take them.  It really doesn’t take that much time and I think it’s a nice ice breaker type activity for him to interact with the students. 

There were also some great ice breakers built into the lecture.  The Microsoft/camera demonstration was interesting, but I felt it served a greater purpose than introducing a psychological topic.  It worked at creating the expectation that as a student you will have to participate in this class, you will have to move around, and you will have to be willing to get up in front of the class. 

During our meeting today he discussed how he plans these set pieces that are designed with specific purposes.  I think it is easy to forget that (most) professors are not just up there rattling off the top of their head.  There is a great deal of planning and organization that occurs.  I realize that improvising must occur and that classes can be unpredictable but overall a great deal of detailed planning occurs for each lecture.