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The first day of class is your opportunity to establish a clear vision for the semester and make a strong connection with your students. It’s a chance to introduce yourself as a scholar and co-learner, outline expectations, and foster a welcoming and engaging environment. Many students may still be “shopping” for classes, so a well-organized and inviting first day can make all the difference.

Welcoming Your Students: How to Create an Inviting Classroom

Ken Bain, in What the Best College Teachers Do (Harvard Press, 2004), highlights the importance of building trust and openness with students. Here’s how to start on the right foot:

Introduce Yourself

Your introduction sets the tone for the course. Share information that helps students connect with you:

• Personal biography: Your background, interests, hobbies, or journey to CU.
• Educational biography: Your academic journey, areas of expertise, and current projects.
• Teaching biography: Your teaching experience, what excites you about teaching, and how you learn from your students.

Be thoughtful about how much to share, balancing professionalism with approachability.

Let Students Introduce Themselves

Focus on students as unique and diverse individuals:

• Subject-focused introductions: For a geography class, ask students to share where they’re from; for math, ask them to share how they use math in daily life.
• Paired introductions: Have students exchange information with a partner and introduce each other to the class.
• Interactive maps: Mark students’ locations or interests on a physical or digital map to visualize their diversity.

These activities help establish a collaborative and inclusive environment from day one.

Set Expectations and Build a Roadmap

Course Overview

Give students a clear understanding of:

• What the course will cover and the learning goals for the semester.
• How the course aligns with departmental requirements.

Classroom Dynamics

Explain how your class will operate:

• Will it be discussion-based, group-focused, or lecture-heavy?
• Do students need to bring materials daily (e.g., books, lab supplies)?
• Share your expectations for engagement and contributions to class discussions.

Work Outside of Class

Provide an overview of the workload:

• Will students work on group projects, write essays, or complete online assignments?
• Be clear about deadlines, submission methods, and preparation requirements.

Instructor Responsibilities

Outline what students can expect from you:

• Study guides, timely feedback, facilitation of discussions, and support for diverse learning needs.
• Set communication boundaries: When are your office hours? How can students contact you, and when can they expect a response?

Student Responsibilities

Emphasize the importance of participation, preparation, and communication:

• Discuss attendance, late work policies, and accommodations for special needs.
• Encourage students to communicate with you proactively about challenges or concerns.

Engaging Students with Activities

Incorporate interactive and reflective activities to break the ice and build engagement:

• Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs): Use tools like the Background Knowledge Probe to gauge students’ prior knowledge or attitudes about the subject.
• Group Agreements: Collaborate with students to establish ground rules for respectful participation.
• Fear & Goals Exercise: Have students anonymously share their fears and goals for the course, and use these insights to tailor your teaching approach.

Optimize the Classroom Environment

Involve students in shaping the physical or virtual learning space:

• Room setup: Ask for feedback on seating arrangements or environmental factors like lighting and acoustics.
• Virtual classes: Use discussion forums or shared documents to establish a welcoming online community.

Asynchronous Online Classes

For online courses, create spaces that foster connection:

• A dedicated forum for introductions and community-building.
• A collaborative document where students can add their expectations and rules for the course.

Helpful Tips for Success

• Excite curiosity: Share an intriguing concept or story from your field to spark interest.
• Model collaboration: Show that learning is a shared journey between you and your students.
• Gather feedback: Use check-ins throughout the semester to ensure the course meets students’ needs.

References & Additional Resources

For more ideas and strategies: