Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The faculty-oriented literature on the first meeting of a class presents many suggestions for content and process. Student data support these suggestions except those urging starting course content and students' divergent views of icebreakers. Being attuned to both student opinions and the faculty literature will help faculty prepare and teach a good first class. Based on student data, 10 of 11 participating faculty made voluntary changes in how they taught the first class meeting the next semester.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 1999 study studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: