Keri,
This I believe is a very important part of teaching success. Having this knowledge helps you to make the connection needed between each student and his/her success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Creating a feeling of familiarity where students feel comfortable with their peers and their instructor. Also, by giving my background students are able to see what some of their professional possibilities are in their field of study.
Basically creating a professional relationship. When you know basic information about someone, you can help relate materials to them personally, and help incorporate how they can apply the knowledge to themselves, and towards their future goals. This helps them be more inveseted, and also, by them learning a bit about you, they can start to establish trust and respect.
I believe instroductions to students and students introduction to instruction ease the tone of the class for the first day everyone has some idea of what each person is like
This is where you let the students know how approachable you are, as well as why they should trust you to be the one who guides them through the material.
Michael,
The more you can know about your students the more accurately you can target your instructional planning. I am sure you get a wide variety of student experiences in your classes and then build on those experiences in your planning. Good point thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I begin each class with my introduction and my background as a job forman. I then tell my students that they are my new crew. From that point of reference I ask for a show of hands, the students that have had prior experiance, the one's that have had related experiance, and those that have had no experiance. This gives me an idea of how to group people to maximize education.
Cindy,
You sure are and this is why it is so important to be the role model you need to be to reflect the professionalism of the field.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe you are creating a comfort level between yourself and the students and also between the students themselves.
Thanks,
Cindy
Diane,
This is a good ice breaker to use at the beginning of a class. I know this idea will be of help to beginning instructors that are looking for ice breakers. Thanks for sharing it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By doing this, I feel we are all learning about each other together. I like to hand out index cards and have the student write something about them that we woold not know and they do not put their names on this card. Then we all have to guess who it is. I as the the Instructor fills out a card too.
They understand I have the knowledge and skills to pass on relevant information that will directly effect them in the performance of their jobs.
The student introductions let each other know the diverse backgrounds they each have and the skills and knowledge each bring to the classroom to share and hopefully grow their critical thinking skills. Also, they can use their strengths in groups to work a problem to a solution rather than a "go it on your own approach" where the "Big Picture" might not be perceived.
Carl Robinson
They will get an idea of your expertise in teaching the course material, and you will get a general idea of where they are in the mastering the building block to succeed in the new course material.
Jesse,
The human factor in teaching is essential. You are creating a setting for the development of rapport with your students through the connections you are developing. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Diana,
This is the foundation for the development of rapport with the students. The more you all know about each other the more you have to work with in the classroom and labs.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am establishing a connection with my students. I am getting to know them and they are getting to know me.
By doing allowing for introductions, the students learn my background and experience and I do the same from them. It is a two way path of learning, the more we know and trust one another the better the classes flow.
Tammie,
Good connection points with students as well. By having this "value added" information you have a point upon which you can build rapport with the students. Thanks for sharing these ideas with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jessica,
Well said. First class meetings really set the tone for the class so they need to be planned out and easy for the students to settle into. Having fun with some ice breakers and sharing information through introductions helps everyone to learn about each other while coming together as a group that will be working toward common goals in the coming sessions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sandra,
All good points about how to start a new class off. I like first class meetings for the reasons you list. We have some fun, share laughs and start to gel as a learning unit.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
