Expectations

During the first class meeting the professor sets the expectations for the semester. Typically, these expectations are provided in writing on a course syllabus and verbally through a review of that same syllabus, perhaps in ever greater detail. Frequently students use the first class as the "test drive" to make sure that the class is not going to be "too hard" or require "too much work." After that first class meeting students know what to expect for the rest of the semester, and have the information needed to decide if they will remain in the class or drop it (and seek an "easier" one). Of course, if the class is required for their major, the decision keep the class has probably been made for them.

The opposite perspective is that these same students enter the classroom on the first day with their own expectations for the class, but these are not shared. This leaves the professor without knowing what is wanted (or needed) by each of the individual students in the class. So, how can a class cater to all of the needs of a diverse population of students, especially when the students do not get the opportunity to make their expectations known?

In the end, professors evaluate the students against the criteria established at the beginning of the semester. And students are left to rate the professor against their own silent expectations.