Tip: Setting the Tone

Hello everyone,

I know there's a lot going on during the first week of classes; here's just two things to think about: setting the tone for the class and syllabus statements on required materials.

Setting the Tone
Something I consider carefully each semester is how to strike a good balance between being warm and sympathetic to students (smile more, perhaps!) and being firm with high expectations. I err on the side of being more strict at the beginning of the semester, with the thinking that it's much easier to relax on the rules as the semester goes on than it is to become more strict in response to issues that arise. 

Some of the things I do on day one to set the tone:

• Greet each student and ask them to pronounce their name - I write a pronunciation guide on the seating chart I sketch out

• Make a seating chart with tips to help me put names to faces faster (glasses, goatee, purple hair, etc)

• Have students make a name tent for their seat (they bring this to future classes as well)

• State directly that late arrivals to future classes will lead to X consequence (laid out in the attendance section of the syllabus)

• Remind unprepared students that they shouldn't come to class without a pen/pencil again

• Address instances of distracted students right away (not letting the distractions - mostly cell phones - continue un-noted).

I would love to hear your thoughts about how you set the right tone at the start of a new semester!

Syllabus statements on required materials
I know that our syllabi are already full of required components, but I think it's valuable to provide a clear expectation to students that (1) required materials may mean a textbook, but may also mean print copies of readings, pens/paper/highlighters, regular access to online materials, and also (2) what the penalties are for failing to bring the required materials.

Here's what that could look like:

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• TEXTBOOK HERE, WITH ISBN#.

• Regular (daily or near-daily) internet access  to complete online assignments.

• Access to a printer (either at NOVA with a NOVA student ID card or at home, at the public library, etc.) to be able to print course materials as requested.

*You must bring the readings, hard copies of all your assignments (rough drafts, brainstorming, outlines), paper and pencils/pens to EVERY class. If you are not prepared for class, you will lose class participation points [OR: be counted absent for that day]. If you do not have the course textbook after the 2nd week of class, you will be asked to leave the class.

If you'd like any other examples of what policies you can think about including, the Chronicle has a nice article: ). If you'd like to work on making your syllabi "warmer" and more inclusive, you might find this interesting, or this.

I hope this is helpful - good luck with the start of classes next week!