Opening Speech -- Tell Them What You Want Them to Know
After a sabbatical semester, I am back in the classroom. It is interesting to be away for 8 months and then walk in to face young faces again. In the first week, I try to do as I always do: Set the tone that I want for the entire semester. I see no reason to wait to say �this is how I want the semester to go.� During the first class, in different words on several different occasions, I explained exactly how I wanted the class to operate. I always believe that it goes better if you are very open with the students and clear on your goals and expectations. I think, for the most part, students rise to a challenge if they are convinced that the benefit is real. �During this semester, I will devise weird situations each day and then I will guide you as you figure out proper responses. We�ll make lots of mistakes along the way but if we work hard we�ll eventually get to good, firm, logic...