1. FYS Overview & Appreciative Instruction

2. Today’s Goals Introductions Overview of First-Year Studies
Foundation and expectations of FYS 101
Introduce you to Appreciative Instruction

3. Overview of First-Year Studies
Seminars
FYS 100 (required for all first-year students)
Life of the Mind (common read program/event)
FYS 101 (~20 student seminar taught by faculty/staff)
FYS 129 (~20 student seminar taught by faculty)
Transition Coaching/Advising
Early Alert
Volunteer Bridge Program

4. Understanding 101 at UT Various iterations and offices
89 sections freshmen
4 sections transfer/veteran
1 credit, Graded A, B, C, NC
Not required for all First-Year Students/Transfers

5. Special Sections of 101 General Major/College
Honors
Living Learning Communities
Targeted populations
UT Lead, Off Campus & Commuter Students, Disability & Advocacy

6. Transfer 101 Content varies from freshmen course
3 sections transfer focused
1 veteran section

7. Expectations of Instructors
Adhere to the FYS 101 Instructor Contract
Follow syllabus guidelines
Utilize your peer mentor
Create an open learning community
Keep open lines of communication

8. Syllabus 
Instructor/PM Contact Info
Course Goals
Attendance Policy
University Policies

9. Required Assignments Time Management Assignment
Goal Setting Assignment (Journey to Graduation)
Pre-Career Visit Assignment
Student Meeting with Peer Mentor

10. Main Content Areas Academic Advising Academic and Career Exploration
Academic Integrity
Campus Involvement
Communication
Diversity
Health and Wellness
Learning Strategies
Not an intro class, its advanced life

11. Resources VolSource (Textbook Online) Instructor/PM Resource Site
Canvas
Early Alert (GradesFirst)
Each Other
FYS Staff
Me, new graduate assistant, returning instructors, and peer mentors
Show VolSource

12. Appreciative College Instruction
Six Phases
Disarm
Discover
Dream
Design
Deliver
Don’t Settle
Developed by:
Dr. Jenny Bloom – Florida Atlantic University

13. Appreciative Mindset Always look for the best in your students.
Adapt to meet their learning needs, BUT don’t lower your standards and expectations.
See the good in them they can’t see
Technology flexibility

14. Let’s break into groups!

15. Disarm Description
Recognize the importance of first impressions, create a safe, welcoming environment for students.
Pair up with someone you do not know.
Introduce yourself
Take turns practicing your immediacy behaviors to Disarm your partner
Ask about how their semester is wrapping up
Ask about their plans for summer
Make them genuinely feel like you care

16. Disarm FYS 101 Examples Pre-term email (August) Arrive early every day
Greet students on first day and every day
Engage in small talk before class starts
State your intentions to connect with them
Linger after class for questions
Others?

17. Discover Description
Utilize positive open-ended questions to draw out what they enjoy doing, their strengths, and their passions. Listen to each student’s answer carefully before asking the next positive question.

18. Discover Activity In pairs Take turns discussing one of the following:
Describe three life events that have made you into the person you are today.
Since coming to UT, what is something you’ve accomplished that you are proud of?
Who are the most important role models in your life? Why?
Partner asks open ended questions to keep them talking

19. Discover FYS 101 Examples Human Bingo Highs and Lows
Life Map/Coat of Arms/Where I’m from Poem
Think-Pair-Share
Student Information Sheets
One Minute Paper
Others?
Sometimes it is important as the instructor to model these activities
Set expectations of what you are looking for

20. Dream Description
Help students formulate a vision of what they might become, and then assist them in developing their life and career goals.
Individually answering the following:
What is one thing you want to do differently next semester?
If salary, education, and time were irrelevant, what is your ideal job?
If you were on the cover of a magazine, what magazine would it be and what would the headline say?
In pairs, describe your dream.

21. Dream FYS 101 Examples Class Discussion Think-Pair-Share
Explore Major Motivations
Explore Career/Life Goals
Crowd Sourced Dream Board
One Minute Paper
Others?
Wordle or Post-t Notes

22. Design Description
Help students devise concrete, incremental, and achievable goals.
Putting them into actionable plans.
In pairs
Take turns discussing one or more of the following:
What can you do in the next week to move one step closer to at least one of your goals?
Let’s brainstorm on the resources you will need to accomplish these goals and objectives.
How will you celebrate the accomplishment of these goals?
Partner asks questions to guide students toward action/ plan

23. Design FYS 101 Examples Time Management Assignment
Goal Setting Assignment
Academic Advising Plan
Campus Involvement Plan
Faculty Interview Questions
Ideal Resume

24. Deliver Description
The students follow through on their plan. The instructor is there for them when they stumble, believes in them every step of the way, and helping them continue to update and refine their dreams as they go.
In pairs
Take turns discussing one of the following:
How and when will you keep me updated on your progress?
What will you do if you run into roadblocks?
What will you do if you think your goals may be challenging?
Partner develop a tangible follow-up with your partner.

25. Deliver FYS 101 Examples Discuss how to get faculty feedback
Peer Review
Follow-up on Big and Little Goals
Timely Instructor Feedback
Progress Reports and Early Alerts
One Minute Papers
Others?

26. Don’t Settle Description
The instructor challenges the student to proactively raise the student’s internal bar of self-expectations.
Continue to challenge even your exceptional students.

27. Don’t Settle FYS 101 Examples
Attendance Policy
Individual Meetings with Students
Quote of the Day
One Minute Paper – Questions
Letters to Your Future Self
Others?

28. Setting the Stage How do you want to be perceived as a FYS Instructor?
How will you work with your peer mentor?
What will the class plan/pace of your class look like?
How will you allow for flexibility?
How will you set up your room?

29. Questions?