The Canadian Classroom Culture - Langara College · The Canadian Classroom Culture § what is “classroom culture???” • ourunderlying assumptions about how instructors and students

TheCanadianClassroomCulture

§ whatis“classroomculture???”• our underlyingassumptionsabout

howinstructorsandstudentsshouldbehaveinclass

§ itmightbeverydifferentfromyourhomecountry…• instructorsinCanadaexpectstudentstotakearesponsibleandactiveroleintheirlearningandeducation

§ variesfromclasstoclassandinstructortoinstructor

FindOutYourInstructors’Expectations

§ manyinstructorsexpectstudentstoactivelyparticipateby:• asking&answeringquestionsinclass– shareyourlearningexperience

• joiningingroupworkanddiscussionactivities

§ someinstructorsgivemarksforattendanceandforclassparticipation• beontime!

§ checkyourcourseoutlinesormakethisaquestiontoaskinthefirstclass:“Aretheremarksforparticipation?”

GettoKnowYourInstructors• instructorsareavaluableresource– usethem!

• teachingstylesandexpectationsvaryfrominstructortoinstructor

• mostinstructorsenjoyteachingandwanttoseeyoudowell

• instructorsmightbewillingtobeyourreferencesforfuturejoboruniversityapplicationsiftheyknowyou

• gettoyourknowyourinstructorsbyactivelyparticipatinginclassandbyusingtheirofficehoursand/orLangarae-mailaddresses

Instructors’OfficeHours§ officehoursaredesignatedtimesthat

instructorsblockoffeachweekforstudentconsultation

§ greatopportunitiestoaskquestions,getanswers,andtogettoknowyourinstructorsbetter

§ youmustbepreparedbeforeyouseeyourinstructor:– writedownSPECIFICquestionsortopicsyouwanttocover– bringapenandpapertotakenotes

§ alsousee-mail– onceagain,makeSPECIFICquestionsorrequests

ManageYourTimeforAssignments&Exams

§ startworkingonyourassignmentsearly- planaheadandcreateasemestercalendarinWeek1

§ duedatesareimportant– takethemseriously!§ knowthepenaltiesforlateassignmentsand

missedexams§ don’tbookticketstoleaveVancouveruntilthefinalexamschedule

isout§ ifyouhaveaproblem– talktoyourinstructorassoonaspossible!!§ FINALGRADESARENOTNEGOTIABLE!!!

takepersonalresponsibilityforyoureducation…andyourlife!

SUMMARY

§ takeanactiveroleinyourlearning– askquestions- bepoliteandrespectful,butask!

§ usetheknowledge,experienceandexpertiseintheclassroomtoyourbenefit

§ beawareofyourinstructors’expectationsregardingparticipation

§ gettoknowyourinstructors– consultwiththemduringofficehoursandbye-mail

§ practiceresponsibletime-management§ take initiative&beself-motivated