The "Opening Number" concept is similar to how TV shows, concerts and events start- with a bang! This rewards those who are present on-time, while allowing the main act to be completely enjoyed by those who come in later than the ideal.
And so, for Hypermarketing2 classes, we also use "opening numbers" so that the class always starts on time at 6 pm, with an inspirational song, prayer, blogpost or marketing exercise that serves as an icebreaker and great way to start the class. The content is relevant to the class session which follows. Typically, opening numbers take 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Vcoach thinks it is an infiinitely more effective use of the time vs. waiting for professor or the rest of the students to arrive.
What does the class have to do for the opening number?
First of all, on or before 6 pm of the class, regardless if vcoach is already inside the classroom or not, a class volunteer opens the class Facebook page using the classroom's main computer and projects this on-screen.
Then follow the interactive instructions shown on the post or link. If comments or reactions are asked, this should be done individually and immediately, unless otherwise specified. If individual or immediate comments are not possible due to time and equipment constraints, then do so at a later time, possibly even after the class, but do it as part of your class participation.
What happens to those who come in after the opening number? Then you have to do, watch, react to the same instructions in the opening number later, but better if this is sooner than later and definitely better than never.
The opening number for the class session will be posted before the actual session on the class FB page. Can you view the post and react before the class? Absolutely!
Despite the interactive and hyperlink nature of the class which allows students to follow and catch up with what is discussed in class, there is no substitute to actually being present in the classroom. Some wise man once said: "80% of success is showing up." So, if there is a choice to being late or being absent, then choose late. But remember too, "the early bird gets the worm." so be on time as a rule.
Hypermakering2 students: I must emphasize too that school policies allow a 20% maximum absence rate and that is only 3 meetings per trimester. You will fail the class if you exceed this limit, no ifs and buts. Unusual cases with sufficient and documented justification may allow the student to be absent 4 times, with make-up for the 1 class that exceeded the limit. But there is absolutely no justification for being absent 5 times or more. Absenteeism is the largest cause of failure in hypermarketing2 classes. If you are absent, you still have to submit the requirements or else you get an incomplete. If you are absent but within the 3 meeting limit, you are not required to do a make-up class but doing so will allow you to get full value and grade credit from the class.
