getting to know you
I've taught for a while, and always felt a little guilty about the getting-to-know-you activities I do with the students on the first day of class. I guess I felt like it wasn't really "necessary". So it's good to learn that not only is it o.k., it's a desirable way to build rapport.
Hi Michael,
Great way to conduct your classes. You offer many different ways of gaining information while establishing yourself as an individual that has expertise that they can benefit from if they are willing to learn.
The application of knowledge to real world settings is powerful in getting students engaged. Good job.
Gary
At our school students are in groups, and it's progressive learning model.
They are grouped with each other for the whole year they are in school.
When I get them they are about five weeks into the program, so they have warmed up to each other and know each other fairly well.
I present my Progressive industry experience first, to illustrate the possibilities and the options involved in our industry.
(Professional Culinary Arts)
I then discuss my professional education, current continuing education, professional activities,and organizations, then community
involvement.
We then have a discussion about how the course relates to the overall educational objectives and their own experience.
Be enthusiastic and WOW them with your knowledge
but show how easy it is to accumulate the information.
Teach them about all the free web resources,give them a handout,they will relate to this.
Today's students love to surf!
I illustrate with humor how much I still don't know and how learning is a life long experience.
Telling real life work stories and how it taught
you something you are covering that day is important,but old war stories can get old.
Always relate the days subject back to how it will get them ahead in the real world.
The first day I got to class, I asked the students to write a paragraph telling me why they chose to be in that particular study field and what they expect to accomplish. I truely believe that this approach will let me get to know them better and see how they progress in life.
From the feedback that I got from the student, I learned that they liked their approach and felt that somebody cared enough to get to know them.
I also believe that one paragraph will always show me what it is they want from me and the course itslef and therefore I will be able to guide them and motivate them in that direction.
I always use introductions on the first day of class. I will usually intro myself first giving the class what my field expperiance is and what brought me to teaching. A little about my family as I was growing up, as my family was heavy into the field I was in and teach about. The I will ask each student to intro him/her self and tell us where they are frome and if they have plans after graduation what they might be. To me it is interesting to meet my students this way as I find out where they are from, I my have been in there home time at one time and we talk a minuite about the area. I also find I might be teach a student from out of the country and it is interesting to find out more about their home land. I think this helps each of us get to know one another alittle more.
Hi George,
Glad the content is going to help you with your future instructional efforts.
Gary
I am fortunate that I get to know my students in the lab setting first. I make a point to learn their names as quickly as possible. This also helps them get to know me in a more relaxed atmosphere.
I think that it is absolutely imperative that the students get to know who I am on the first day. When I start a new class, the students have been with each other for about 2 1/2 months, so they know who each other is. I give an introduction about myself, and then go around the room and have them introduce themselves to me. I want them to feel comfortable with me as a person as well as the recognized expert in the class. This module has provided me with several new "ice breaker" ideas to try.
This is an awesome exercise . I do this every phase. I let each student tell us a little about themselves , including what type of vehicle they drive , if they are employed in the automotive field yet,what their long and short term plans are,their dream vehicle,where they go on vacation,kids?, married? anything else they would like to share with eachother. GREAT ICEBREAKER !!
Hi Victor,
Students do like to hear about how their instructors have been in the "real world" and how their real world experiences can help them get ready for their future career success.
Gary
I HAVE STUDENTS ASK ME AFTER I HAVE SPOKE ABOUT MY EXPERIANCES IN THE FIELD
MOST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW IS IT IN THE REAL WORLD
Hi Lorraine,
Well said. As you spend more time in the teaching profession you start to see how you can develop ways of getting classes started and students engaged.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
Our class meetings are short and when I first started I felt that the first day of class was kind of a lost day. As I continue my instructional time I have come to realize how important it is to introduce myself to the students as well as to get to know them a little better. It helps built raport with them and gives them confidence in their future week to come as my students.
Hi Angelia,
I have several that I use.
1. Have two students spend a few minutes talking then introduce each other and give some information about the other person. Lets two people know each other's name.
2. Give one's name and an interesting fact about themselves not related to work. Example-This past summer I kayaked the Snake River. The reason for the fact not related to work is that this helps to create an identity beyond just the career area for the student. Sometimes students with extensive experience in the career field can intimidate beginning students. Outside the field information has everyone sharing a personal interest of activity. Gives you a point of reference to start a conversation with the student at other times throughout the course phase. I use this one most frequently.
Gary
I have to admit I have not really taken class time to allow my students to get to know eachother. I usually spend the 1st class going over the syllabus, introducing myself and getting started on the lecture.
Based on what I have read on this forum, I think this is something I am going to try to incorporate it into my first day schedule. I hope it will help some students not to feel so overwhelmed by all of the information we ask them to absorb on the first day.
Do you have any favorite ice breakers?
Hi John,
It also helps to develop respect by the students for you the instructor and rapport between you and the students. It is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Getting to know you is in my opinion very important for a student to feel welcomed in the class
Hi Lori,
I definitely agree. It is my chance to learn how to focus on points that may be beneficial to those individuals. It is also benificial for students to become comfortable together so they can motivate and challenge each other.
Hi Chuck,
One of the key elements of instruction is to make it personal and through your activities you are doing just that.
Gary
I teach adults and I have found they are interested in who I am and who's in their class. Therefore, I devote time to personal introductions, objectives and expectations.
