Just a Suggestion by Claudio V. Tabotabo (November, 2005)

It's the opening of classes once again and it reminds me of literary critique Isagani Cruz who wrote an article about classroom activities during the first day of classes.

Acquaintance and orientation must be done in the first day. It is necessary because on that day everything is new, the classroom, students, professor, subject and lessons.

The professor is new to the students and the students at the same time new to the professor. Acquaintance therefore is necessary in this situation. The professor should introduce himself particularly his academic attainment in relation with that particular subject. It is necessary that students at an early period of acquaintance find the professor an authority in the field he is in. Students feel confident and proud to be handled by a good mentor.

At the same time, professor must also know his students. Students represent varied personalities and level of learning. Perhaps some of them in the class are second coursers definitely advanced compare to other students. In other words some students are to be fast-tract while others need remediation. These are to be considered by the professor at an early period of the term.

There are policies in school so are in the classrooms. American educator Harry Wong calls it cultures in the classroom. On the first day of class these policies should be discussed to the students. Policies include, how to pass paper, how to leave and enter the room, how to take examination and others. Grading systems are also included in this part. But it is good for professor to emphasize the things to be done rather than those not to be done. We do not like prohibitions same thing with the students who do not like limitations although classroom is a place of culture and freedom.

Papers and other requirements like drama production, critique paper, reactions and others. are part of things to be identified during the first day of class. In English, Literature classes, JPR and History or subjects that require long readings, professor perhaps at an early period should assign the students what to read. If novel is part of the reading requirement, professor must emphasize it on the first day of class so that student will begin to look for a copy and start the long reading.

After all these things are only suggestions.