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Tag: first day of class

16 Community-Building Ice-Breakers for Zoom

several people's hands on a tree trunk

by Nathan Loewen, Department of Religious Studies Among the many objectives for the first day of class, for some teachers, is to create a sense of community. Many of the strategies used face-to-face may be adapted to the online environment. Here are some ice-breakers that have worked in the past. They may be adapted to Zoom, too! These ideas work for seminars as well as larger courses (e.g. using breakout rooms). Two truths and a lie is a classic. Ask […]

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Five Activities for the First Day of Class

a curious fox

by Jessica Porter, Office of Educational Technology (eTech) The first class meeting is an opportunity to clarify your goals and expectations for the course and to get acquainted with your students. Who are they, and what questions, hopes, and interests do they bring to the course? Here are a few first-day activities you can use to learn about your students and prepare them for the course. Take an interest inventory An interest inventory is simply a list of questions about […]

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Suggestions to Make the First Day of Class Matter

students doing research in a library

“There is a lot to cover on the first day of class. You establish procedures and convey expectations. You review the syllabus and, if you’re teaching a lab, safety protocol. You also spend some time teaching some material. While you might not make an assignment on the first day, you still should use some time on the first day to talk about your expectations for students’ work and how you assign grades.” Read more on Faculty Focus

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