What I Learned My First Year Teaching Adults

It’s OK to Smile!
• Have some fun when you are teaching and students will have some fun learning.
• Treat people as human beings – not just a warm body or a number – they all have names.
• Arrive early. Arrange the room and set the tone – be prepared in case you have to hunt down a key to unlock the door.

Start On Time
• Start on time; end on time.
• People learn quickly when you start on time – they’ll arrive promptly for succeeding sessions.
• Stop on time and stick around a few minutes for those with additional questions.
• Door signs and maps help get students to class on time.
• Have a plan for what you teach and how you will teach it.
• Know your content so well that you can spend most of your time working on how you teach rather than on reading your notes.
• Be flexible, but stay on target with your main ideas and objectives.

Use Variety
• A variety of teaching strategies make your points more interesting.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new to grab student attention.

Apps, Jerold. “What I Learned My First Year Teaching.” Course Trends, Vol. 24, No. 6: p. 15.

First Class Preparation

Whether it is your very first class or you have been teaching for 20 years the following 6 things will get you off to a great start every time!

1. Set Up the Environment
*Furniture arrangement
*Name badges or table tents
*Arrangement of audio/visual media
*Location of rest rooms and beverage services
*Copies of class schedule, objectives, and content
*Establish an inviting and organized atmosphere
2. Introduce Yourself and Students to Each Other
*Establish your credibility to teach this class
*Explain and model the ice breaker
*Facilitate introductions as the ice breaker proceeds
3. Give an Overview of the Course
*Review schedule, objectives or course content
*Solicit student objectives
4. Clarify Expectations
Hear theirs and share yours. “Give them a skill to take home the very first night which they can use tomorrow”
5. Use The Runners Warm-up - Distance runners don’t start a race at full speed. They stretch first and begin slowly working out the kinks, then set a good workout pace. Afterward they cool down. Students should be treated the same way.
6. Give Them a Sneak Preview of Coming Attractions.

Teaching Adults Classes

The next Teaching Adults class for new instructors is Saturday, February 9th from 9am to noon. This is a time to learn COCC's policies and procedures as well as some classroom techniques. It is also a time to meet other instructors and experience the breadth of classes we offer.

The next Teaching Adults class will be held on Saturday, April 5th.