Prepare Students to Learn

Getting Started with Your Course

This page covers items to help students be successful in your classes.

1.	Orienting Students to the Course Outline The course outline is not just a contract between the instructor and students. Its main purpose is to ensure students understand the purpose of the course, what they will learn in it, and how and when they will demonstrate their learning. Walk students through the course outline to ensure everybody has a shared understanding of how the learning will unfold. Considering making these dynamic experiences that involve students. Resource: University of Pittsburgh – Five Activities to Encourage Students to Engage with the Syllabus
2.	Student Expectations Students should be aware of their responsibilities as learners. This includes meeting the conduct expectations outlined in Policy 3-06 to maintain “a culture of integrity, mutual respect and responsible behaviours.” It also means actively participating in their learning. Instructors can remind students of their responsibilities and the supports available to help them meet these expectations. Resource: NIC Code of Conduct Policy 3-06 Resource: Learn Anywhere Page – Learner Responsibilities
3.	Student Supports NIC provides supports such as: Counselling, Elders in Residence, Peer Tutors, Early Assist and Thrive Students have a variety of needs and North Island College has many supports in place to help learners succeed, including a Department of Accessible Learning Services to ensure that students with specific learning needs have the accommodations they need Resource: Ensure you Add the Student Supports Module to your Brightspace Course Resource: NIC Student Wellness Services
4.	First Day Activities Effective first day activities help to build connections with and between students and establish the learning culture. Start your course off right by incorporating engaging and inclusive first day activities into your courses. Resource: Teach Anywhere Page – First Day(s) of Classes
5.	Metacognition Help students become more aware of their thinking as learners by fostering metacognition in your courses. Strong metacognitive skills enhance learning by enabling individuals to reflect on their own thinking processes, allowing them to strategize, self-monitor, and adapt their approaches for better problem-solving and understanding. Resource: Teach Anywhere Page: Metacognitive Teaching Resource: Make students aware of Learn Anywhere Resource Page (including 6 key): Learning Strategies