Interaction
Interacting with students on the first day lets them know you are approachable.
This is a good concept. I am completely for class discussions and interactions between teacher and students. Students do not want to sit for hours and listen to a dry lecture. The best way to learn is to "ask questions" and what better way than to have the teacher ask the students. This will lead to more questions and more information. Never tell a student they are "wrong" with an answer. If they do not give the answer you are looking for, ask the student to try to answer it in another way.
I believe the best way to learn something is by teaching it. When I ask the students a question, I usually like the person who gives the right answer to repeat the answer again to the class and explain why and how he has come up with that particular answer.
I believe that by doing so,
1) students become more self confident 2) feel and see that their ideas matter 3) feel and see that they can make a positive difference.
Humanity and Professionalism are the two sound wings by which the instructor can fly to achieve the learning goals. Interaction and reasonable communication in the three directional act ( Instructor – Student, Student – Instructor, and Student – student ) from the first class meeting are the most healthy way to accomplish learning benefits as early as needed.
