The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 1

The First Class (C)

Grace Wiebe, PhD

Director, Arts Resource Centre

“Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning”, September/October 1999, p. 8

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 2

Overview of “The First Class” Session

• Introductions• Encouraging Active

Learning • Setting the Tone • Administrative Tasks• Course Expectations• Resources• Establishing Links

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 3

Introductions

• Instructor– Assistants– Office Hours– Contact numbers

• Students– Role call– Introduce selves

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 4

Encouraging Active Learning

• Groups

• Class discussion

• Problem solving

• Definitions

• Real-world examples

• On-line discussions

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 5

Setting the Tone

• Inform and engage

• Lectures or discussions

• The hidden curriculum

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 6

Administrative Tasks

• Course Outlines/Syllabi–University regulations –Textbooks–Website –Exams

• Library tour• Role call• Safety Precautions

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 7

Course Expectations

• Course objectives

• Class structure

• Class preparation

• Self-study

• Study skills

• Attendance

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 8

Establishing Links

• Forging links– Establish connections– Build on prior knowledge– Link first class to final class

• The final moments– Get feedback– Expectations for next class

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 9

Resources

• Survival Tips:– www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infotrac/tipsheets.html– www.tss.uoguelph.ca/tasg/tasindex.html

• Teaching Support– www.tss.uoguelph.ca/ta/tares.html– www.ualberta.ca/~uts/teachingsupport.htm

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 10

Survival Tips

•Be prepared

•Set the tone for the year

•Establish links

•Relax!

The First ClassGTA OrientationSeptember 2003Slide 11

‘Testing the Waterfall on High Level Bridge During Spring Thaw’ Edmonton, Alberta, 2001. Picture taken by Troy Semeniuk, ARC