Danielle,
One of the ways to get students comfortable in a class is to have them pair off and exchange information, such as why they are in the course. By chatting with another student the shy students seem to get more comfortable when it is their turn to talk. I frequently have the paired students introduce each other to the class after their exchange of information. That way the students aren't talking about themselves but about someone else. The shy students seem to do better at this. I still get the information I need and everyone in the class learns why each student is in the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The beginning stages of Rapport. Students need to know that the leader (the teacher) is confident and skilled in the area being taught, and it helps the teacher begin to learn and remember names and faces.
I'm a new instructor and did start my class off by introducing myself and providing a little of my background. I have not tried the method of asking each of my students why they are there. I guess I just made an assumption. I think this is a great idea and will begin to incorporate this on the first day of class. Any suggestions on how to deal with shy students and break them out of their comfort zone?
1. Getting to know the students
2. Putting at ease first day jitters
3. Starting to build rapport between student and instructor
Tracy,
This is an important part of establishing a base for the class. Getting the students settled and comfortable in the class gives a base upon which to build through out the duration of the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
With introductions, one can get a basic feel for the type of person someone is. Same goes for instructor introductions. It is important to set the tone of how the class will be ran and what is expected of the students.
Gayle,
Strategies like those you are using help to get the students comfortable with you and the class. Humor goes a long way in helping students get settled into a course. Good job.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Hope to take the anxiety tension out of the air. Let students realize that I am here to help them learn, I actually want them to understand the material and learn. Sometimes I will ask fun (off the wall-things to make them smile/laugh) fact/ trivia quiz (pertaining to topic)to get them to open up, be more comfortable.
I think this is a critical time to set the class tone using common goals for all the students. Each class is a character in itself and you begin by reading as much of that character as you can. Exchanging the what's and why's within a class and exposing the needs of the class will help in tailoring your approach to meet the goals of the class and the individual students as they progress through a course.
Godwin,
So true and so important. A good impression, as you mention sets the tone for the up coming class sessions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Allowing students to get to know a little about you while also makiing them feel like they are not in class with total strangers, helps students to settle in. Through introductions, students start to calm down and relax which creates a better learning environment.
Chip
First impression lasts a long time, thus it is very important to make a good first impression. The get to know who their instructor is and depending some may students relate with the instructor. Also, when students introduce themselves to the instructor, he gets an idea about the demographics of the class and maybe an incite into the character of some of the students.
I am establishing a class that fosters both education and relationship with students so that learning can take place with an honest level of trust between me and them
Antoinette,
With this approach you are bringing the human factor into the beginning of the class. As you say this sets the tone for rapport development and student engagement.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By having an introduction of myself and my students we develop a sense of rapport in the classroom. By sharing characteristics about ourselves (an example might be that we are all mothers) we form a bond. Alot of times during my introductions I discoevr insights which are useful in teaching (an example is the average age of my students). Also I discover that students are very open when it comes to major changes in their lives. I take this in consideration in my approach with students.
With the students sharing, it provides me with a sense of their goals, directions, and current level of knowledge on the subject.
By sharing my career experiences gives me creditability in teaching the course.
Amos,
Thank you for the kind words. I am so excited for you and your teaching success. I know your are going to enjoy teaching even more as a result of the planning your are doing with your classes. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Hi Dr.Meers, By taking this course it's made me set some goals. I have a day time job I was alwasys rusting to class and some time late. This is my second term teaching this class, I decided to follow this course procedure and direction for the first days of class set for this section of the course. It was been a turn around by being prepaired before class and being on time has motovated me as a instructor. Some of the students in the first class has said Mr. Jordan you seen different and on time this term. The class in I or on a good path to making this begening a great start so far.
Arthur,
My expectations and outcomes from the introduction time at the beginning of the course as well. Good way to create a foundation to build on in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The main benefit that is obtained by doing introductions is for me to gain a better understanding of the students and their backgrounds. It allows me to begin to establish a rapport with them which will be devloped over the term of the course. A secondary benefit of the introductions is for me to establish myself as the "subject matter expert" with 30+ years of teaching experience in all educational levels.
