Six top tips to get the first class off to a flyer

Back to school: how to get your first university class off to a flying start

Most university lecturers agree the first class of term is a daunting concept. After a tough year and some testing results, David Atkinson is rethinking how to meet and greet his students

Time to wipe the slate clean: the new academic year is a good time to road test new teaching approaches. Photograph: Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

I’m about to walk into a classroom where a bunch of complete strangers will look up at me, their faces etched with expectation. It will be my first class of the new academic year and I’m thinking about how to shake it up a bit.

Over the last few years, teaching journalism on the undergraduate programme at Glyndwr University in North Wales, I’ve tended to give out the module handbook, talk through the assessment and highlight the key texts in that tentative first encounter. But no more. After a tough year and a bad set of exam results last summer, I feel it’s time for a rethink.

Most lecturers agree the first class is a daunting concept. “It’s like a blind date,” says one colleague from the art department. “If it goes badly, I always think, ‘We’re not going to make it to dessert.’” Some admit to having the academic’s version of stage fright after several months away from the tutorial room. Others see the first class as a low-impact session, a way to ease the students – and themselves – back into the ebb and flow of education. A few insist on girl guide style icebreakers.

Yet most of us know these first contact hours are crucial to the success of the year overall. There are no second chances. So how should lecturers approach their impending big entrance with a view to setting the right tone for the year ahead? After all, new students are probably already drowning in information and bogged down in administration. Returning students are more interested in finding the password for the wi-fi than a blow-by-blow account of a field trip in mid-November.

There’s a scarcity of good advice about conducting the first class, especially for relatively new higher education lecturers, such as myself, who have been recruited from industry. But one thing is certain: the students will be judging us.

Current educational theory is shaped by Malcolm Knowles, author of The Modern Practice of Adult Education: From Pedagogy to Andragogy. He espoused explaining why you are doing something in terms of both the course content and the process behind it. Professor John Loughran notes in his book What Expert Teachers Do: Enhancing Professional Knowledge for Classroom Practice, “the quality of teaching is evident in the teacher’s sensitivity to students’ learning.”

For Peter Gossman, a senior lecturer in education at Glyndwr University, who also works with developing academic staff at the university’s Centre for Learning, Teaching and Assessment, the key to a good start is showing that you care. “Writers on education identify a caring attitude as one of the most important attributes of a good teacher,” he says. “You can do this by being well prepared and using the first class to support the students through an exercise that is representative of the year ahead.”

Gossman also highlights good professional practice, such as encouraging students in a creative manner and motivating them to learn. “Education is about opportunity and motivation. The institution offers the opportunity but the lecturer has to engender motivation. So do something in week one that motivates them to find out more and actually come back to the second class,” he adds.

When I walk into the room and 20 expectant faces look up at me, I’m not going to reach for the paperwork, or play a getting-to-know-you game. I’ll simply take a deep breath, introduce myself briefly and launch straight into a practical writing exercise that will subtle flag up some of the ground rules for being in my classroom and introduce some fundamental concepts of the course ahead.

My hope is that this send out a message that I care enough to have thought about how to make a better start to the year and how to meet their individual needs. And if I care, then so should they.

Six top tips to get the first class off to a flyer

1) Arrive early and prepare the room That includes seating arrangements. You’re striving for active engagement from the off.

2) Start to learn names Take a register and, when someone has a question, ask him or her to give their name first.

3) Hold the admin until week two Instead, set an interesting task to whet their appetites and then guide them through it.

4) Engage the students with the material A real-life exercise to discuss is a great way to do this.

5) Set ground rules implicitly The concept of andragogy suggests that when rules are created (or negotiated), they are also explained.

6) Give out the module handbook at the very end Ask students to come back to the next session with two questions each about it.

Know Who J. Appiah Is

 

Starting his musical journey from the tender age of 8, J. Appiah (real name Jesse Appiah) is now a fast-rising acoustic Soul singer-songwriter on the verge of making an impact on the British music scene. With his insightful lyricism and heartfelt vocals, the born and raised in Hackney act, took the bold step to ask his mother for a guitar that young and thus, ensued his foray into music. He describes his sound as:

“Soulful music that tells a personal story. I’m a London boy with Ghanaian parents I’ve grown up on U.K and U.S singers. I think all of my influences come out in my sound” [sic] – J. Appiah

Soon after, J‘s mother enrolled him and his siblings into a music school to attend at weekends, so that they would learn their individual instruments to perform at their church. J took advantage of the situation to expand his music knowledge and chase his passion by learning the multitude of instruments available – drums and keys but never lost the enthusiasm for his first love – the guitar.

In a short stinit professionally as a musician, his abilities have gotten him collaborations with several UK Rap stars  including Scorcher, Fekky and Pepstar; as well as major label producers such as Sony BMG’sSunny productions (of Misha B, Tyler James & Professor Green fame) and Levels/EMI’s O.D Hunte(of Emeli Sande & Wretch 32 fame).

Growing over the years as a performance artist, J. Appiah has supported the likes of Will Young, Labrinth, Blur and the London Community Gospel Choir. Being very tenacious to succeed, he has also managed to get himself on a few major broadcasts as well such as The Brit Awards, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

Over the last few months, J. Appiah has taken over the London live scene with enthralling performances at industry showcase – Not Another, Wired and the seminal ILUVLIVE among others. Most recently, the Hackney native was commissioned to provide the theme song for former Liverpool and QPR star, Djibril Cisse’s reality TV show.

 

Inspired by a diverse mix of musical tastes – Lynden David Hall, The Beatles, Seal, Bob Dylan, The Script, Usher and Taio Cruz, his sound has most commonly been attributed to a succinct mix of Angeland Ed Sheeran.

J. Appiah describes himself as ‘a pretty laid back, friendly, funny, but extremely focused guy, almost to a fault’. And, aside from creating music, he has a degree in Social Anthropology – a path his career could have taken.

With his debut EP ‘Studiocoustic’ out now, its lead “I Aint Rich… Yet” has started paving a lot more roads for him, as it was featured on the BBC 1Xtra Introducing playlist and supported by several UK online tastemakers. Look out for the exciting new music video for “I Ain’t Rich Yet” coming soon.

To download his debut EP, {click here}

MBGN Universe 2006 Tienepre Oki & Charles Udejiofor’s Wedding in Delta State

A few weeks ago, BN brought you the first photos from MBGN beauty queen/Mademoiselle Magazine publisher Tienepre Oki and banker Charles Udejiofor‘s wedding.

Now, Tien and Charles’ wedding is getting the BellaNaija Weddings treatment! All the exclusive photos from their “Walking on Sunshine” themed wedding in Delta State.

Enjoy!
***
How Tien & Charles Met
by Tien
A mutual friend introduced us and we became good friends. A few months after we met, we  attended a wedding together. There he professed his love for me and we started dating.

The Proposal
We went for an event together and as we were leaving I stopped to chat with a friend. Charles then told me that he forgot to give me something as I turned to look at him, he brought out the ring and went on one knee.
It was a perfect moment!

The Dress! Twill Gazar Mermaid Gown – White by Vera Wang
Tien’s dress was an ivory mermaid silhouette strapless gown with net corset and a cowl back detail. She added an embellished sash and completed her bridal look with a veil and bouquet of yellow roses.

***
Tienepre Oki and Charles Udejiofor‘s wedding weekend kicked off with their traditional wedding at the bride’s family home in Warri, Delta State. It was an major show of love as friends and family from all over the world including bridesmaids from Gabon, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and St. Lucia gathered to celebrate Tien and Charles. The beautiful bride dazzled all in four traditional outfits! The finale was a gold blouse paired with a bronze wrapper and glorious red headtie. Her coral beads and fan completed her traditional look which matched her husband’s gold and bronze attire. The couple were joined together in the traditional way in the presence of their families.

The next day, Saturday 13th April 2013, Tien and Charles said “I Do” at the Christ Embassy Church in Warri followed by a lovely reception at Hotel Excel. The couple were not afraid to break the mould as the bride, groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids all performed a special choreographed dance to the delight of everyone present!

Such a fun and blessed day.

BN wishes Tienepre & Charles love, joy and blessings together as one.

White Wedding

Redeemers University Student Arrested Over Bankers Dead

Homicide detectives of the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, have arrested an undergraduate of the Redeemers University, Ogun State, in connection with the brutal murder of a suspected gay banker, Adindu Ohamara.

According to sources, the banker was on April 9, found in a pool of his blood in his room, having been stabbed severally by the suspect.
Six persons were thereafter arrested in connection with the crime by detectives from the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department ,SCID,in Panti, Lagos State.
Some of the persons picked-up by the Police included, a sister of the deceased, Flora who regained her freedom on Wednesday.
DailyPost has gathered that detectives finally picked up the male student from the Redeemers University, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun state who is now termed the prime suspect.
According to our sources, the prime suspect, name withheld, initially denied knowing the deceased while being drilled by Police detectives, but later admitted knowing the deceased. He however gave an alibi that he was reading with some of his colleagues at the university premises at the time of the murder.

The Police thereafter visited the university where the school authorities were said to have told them that the student was not anywhere near their premises at that material time.
The father of the suspect also told Police detectives that his son got home around 10p.m that day.
Late Ohamara, in his 30s, resides in a three-bedroom flat at 26 Obayan Street, Akoka with his elder sister, Flora and one Collins, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos and friend of the deceased who was squatting with them.
It was learnt that on the day Ohamara was killed, he had returned home from office with a stranger with whom he was suspected to have had a gay relationship with.
According to the security guard at the gate, Ohamara and the stranger arrived home in the deceased’s car.
It was also learnt that some of the persons earlier arrested in connection with the murder have identified the undergraduate as the stranger who returned home with Ohamara that night and disappeared before the severely-stabbed banker was discovered.

Prophet Drowns At Baptism Pool

This happen during a baptism, but not actually the proposed prophet

BULAWAYO police have clarified that a man who drowned at a baptism pool in Pumula South last month was not a member of Prophet Thabiso Ngwenya’s church as they initially reported… The police said Ngwenya, arguably Bulawayo’s most popular prophet, was not there at the baptism ceremony and the man is believed to be a “prophet” who was conducting his own baptism ceremony. Initially, police said they suspected that the man had drowned while being baptised by Ngwenya. Bulawayo provincial police spokesman Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo identified the man who drowned at the pool as Selby Chikowora (22), believed to be a prophet from another apostolic church. “He slid into the pool where he was baptising several people and drowned. It is not clear whether he belonged to Prophet Thabiso Ngwenya’s church, but he drowned at the very pools where Ngwenya baptises his people,” Moyo said. Ngwenya’s lawyers Moyo and Nyoni Legal Practitioners said neither Ngwenya nor prophets from his church had baptised anyone on the fateful day. “Our client has a church, which was awarded land by local authorities. He erected a baptism pool there and that is where all his baptism services are held,” the lawyers said. The lawyers said the reports were likely to cause alarm among the popular prophet’s “local and international” clients. Prophet Drowns At Baptism Pool

Sony Vegas Intro Tutorials

Prince Etibless Contact Online

In other to reach out to fans, friends and family Princewill Edward Also known as Prince Etibless has just joined the networks of 2go, facebook (princeetibless)  instagram, twitter (@princeetibless), google plus. These are interactive sections, where all question and interaction needed to involve the Guru, could be forward to. He is a web designer, web manger and web hoster, Also Prince Etibless is also a 3d animator, a motivational speaker, a book writter, a graphic designer, a chemical engineer and above all a christian. I also deliver help to people on internet services. The only thing that you just log in to the site, drop you question and come back in the next 5mins for your reply

18 Bodies Evacuated From Ezu River – Autopsy Begins Today

 

Eighteen decomposed bodies evacuated from Ezu River on the border town of Amansea, between Enugu and Anambra states, will today be subjected to autopsy to be jointly carried out by Anambra and Enugu State governments and their police commands.

Anambra State police commissioner, Mr. Bala Nassarawa, gave the figure yesterday while addressing Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, and other senior police officers in the state. Nassarawa confirmed that all the dead bodies were males, adding that three bodies had been selected for the autopsy because the other 15 had become too bad.

He said: “We have also discovered that there were no gun injuries or matchet cuts on their bodies as being speculated and the dead bodies were not up to 30 or 50 as rumored.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in charge of medicals, the state Commissioner for Health and pathologists from the two states would be involved in carrying out the autopsy.

Nasarawa stated further that investigations were still continuing on the matter, assuring that the police would be providing additional information on the matter at the right time.

Judge Brought A Halt On Murder Trial Prosecution

Judge Brought A Halt On Murder Trial Prosecution. Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Monday reprimanded the prosecution over the failed prosecution of 41-year-old Mr. Taofeek Adejumo for alleged murder of his brother, Taorid, on March 2, 2009.

Akinlade, who discharged Adejumo in a ruling on his no-case-submission, expressed disappointment with the prosecution’s failure to tender the accused’s confessional statement and other key documents in the case.

The prosecution only called one witness, who was the Investigative Police Officer, and failed to tender the statement of the accused, the report of autopsy carried out on the deceased and the object alleged to have been used to stab the deceased to death.

Suspicious of underhand in the handling of the trial, the judge, while addressing the accused after delivering her ruling, said, “I have not discharged you on merit. I don’t know what has happened between the prosecution and your lawyer.”

She turned to the prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Abiola Awoyinka, saying her failure to tender “even the confessional statement” was unjustifiable.

Awoyinka’s response that the prosecution did its best in the case further drew the anger of the judge who urged the “management” of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to investigate the handling of the case.

The judge said, “A confessional statement is in your file and you did not tender it. What is the best you have done in the case? You cannot justify your reason.

“In fact, it is a matter your management should look into. You have the duty not to withhold evidence.”

The judge asked the accused to turn to God for forgiveness as it was evident that he actually killed his brother.

She said, “This is the judgment of Justice Olabisi Akinlade, a mortal like you. You need to seek forgiveness from Almighty God.

“You know you killed your brother. I do not understand why they have failed to tender your statement before this court.

“Whether this court leaves you or not, the fact remains that you killed your brother. So I leave you to the judgment of Almighty God.”

Super Eagles Final list for the 2013 Nations Cup

Nigeria’s final list for the 2013 Nations Cupis due to be made public today. Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Chris Green confirmed this to Sports Vanguard Tuesday.

The NFF chieftain told our correspondent that the list would be released after the Nigeria versus Cape Verde tune up match which comes up 9 pm Nigerian time; a few hours before CAF deadline for the submission of final squads for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa.

Green, who expressed confidence and satisfaction in what Coach Stephen Keshi has done so far, insisted that only the best would represent Nigeria at the tournament.

“Keshi has done well, so far,” Green said, pointing out that, “he has brought back that competitive  spirit in the Eagles as he has brought out the hunger for success among the players.”

“Nobody would feel happy if his team loses,” Green said, insisting, however, that, “there must be some positives from the match even if we lose.”

He disclosed the Eagles would approach the game with caution as they would guide against injury. “The boys are not going to go all out to win because it is not a must win situation. A lot of players would play as the coach would be wary of injuries,” Green said, adding that “all the coach need is to try out his formation and tactics.