I completely changed the direction and tone of my opening module. I changed from a generic introductory icebreaker to one that has more focus, and I also plan to have my students discuss and set the classroom etiquette for themselves in the first module, rather than simply handing this down as set policy. I’m feeling really good about these changes!
This was the most important thing I learned – to hand trust back to my students, and that it is not only OK to do so, but it actually makes a better class.