It’s almost impossible to “wing” a great first class session. It takes forethought and preparation.  As we go into the final weekend before the new academic year, the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology presents a timely encore of the very first Let’s Talk Teaching podcast.

Read the syllabus, get out early… right? Wrong!

We challenge common assumptions (made by both faculty and students) about what should happen on the first day of class. Discover how to set expectations, establish the culture of your class, and lay the groundwork for an enthusiastic and productive semester. CTLT Director Claire Lamonica and Jim Gee discuss how to plan for a successful first day of class… which should be much, much more than “Syllabus Day.”

More resources to help with your first day of class are available on the show page for this episode.

You can also find help crafting a syllabus at CTLT.IllinoisState.edu/Syllabus.

Let’s Talk Teaching is a free podcast for instructors at the Illinois State University, produced by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. You can listen to past episodes and subscribe using your favorite podcast app or through iTunes by going to CTLT.IllinoisState.edu/Podcast.

Got a topic you’d like to hear explored on the show? Email us with your suggestions!