The first day of class is very improtant in establishing the atmosphere and the organization of the class. Establishing yourself as a caring instructor that has the success of the student as your proirity is essential. I truly enjoy the activity of having each student introduce him/herself and getting to know a little information about them. It does help me to begin to remember their names. I have to work at that for the first couple of weeks, however,I do agree it is very important in establishing a good relationship with each student.
Making a good first impression makes it easier in the long run which helps with student rapport. If for some reason this doesn't happen on the first day, we always have the opportunity to redeem ourselves the next day!
A positive first impression establishes trust.
It is important for the students to feel that the instructor is caring, kind, considerate, respectable and approachable. Being a good listener, smiling and having good eye contact is of upmost importance as well.
Hi Jeremy,
Good points about making a first impression. Easier to start with a good first impression but can be corrected if the impression is not what you what it to be the first day.
Gary
A positive first impression is important on the first day of class because it helps create a sense of respect between the instructor and students. I do think, though, that sometimes we place too much emphasis on a first impression. I remember many of my professors in my traditional undergraduate and graduate setting did not make great first impressions, but turned out to be phenomenal people and instructors, many of whom I still have friendships with. At some level, I feel that there is a certain level of respect that comes with the fact that you already are an instructor, and that whether you make a great relational first impression is not always the same as making a great impression in an instructor sense.
Still, it is better to start off with a good impression over a bad one--it definitely makes the class atmosphere easier to tolerate for everyone involved.
You get one chance to set the tone for the entire term, perhaps the rest of the classes you will have with each of the students. By making a good first impression, you let them know what you expect from them, and they know what they can expect from you. They are there to learn, and the amount of attention they give is directly related to what they believe they can get in return. Show them that you've got something for them, and they will, for the most part, give you their attention and respect.
Students do not know what to expect at times in their educational experience. A good first impression sets the stage for what that experience will be like. This could be the most crucial time for new student or returning or transfer students as this impression will provide a positive experience for them to take throughout their academic careers.
Hi Tara,
Well said. The first impression sets the tone and instructors need that tone to be a positive one.
Gary
Maing a positive first impression will help set the tone for the class. For instance, if an instructor is disorganized, unprepared and doesn't provide structure, the class impression of the instructor may be negative. Trying to recover from a negative first impression may waste valuable instructional time.
A positive first impression will stay with the students. They have that required structure and direction to do well in the classroom.
Hi Tanya,
You are right about setting the tone for the class from the very first meeting. It is so much easier to build on a positive first impression than to try and dig out of the hole with a negative one.
Gary
Hi Gena,
Good strategy. This is how instructors can get their classes off to a good start.
Gary
A positive first impression helps your students become more comfortable with you and the course. An uncomfortable, unprofessional, or otherwise negative first impression will set a negative tone for the course, which can be difficult to overcome. If instructors are as prepared as possible for the first day it makes the first class and the organization of the course as a whole a more enjoyable class for both the students and the instructor.
Setting a positve first impression is important because it will give the students a calming feeling and sets the stage for a positive learning environment
Making a good first impression is very important as this can make a good or bad imprint on the brain of the student. An instructor that shows enthusiasm, organization and sets high standards for their students, has always made an impression on me. This is what I try to do on the first day and most importantly to include some fun!
Hi Lloyd,
This is so true. It puts the instructor in the position of paddling upstream instead of being able to go with the flow of the class. It is so much easier just to start of with a great opening of class rather than trying to do a correction.
Gary
This sets the tone for the framework of how the students will preceive the instructor. Positive start will usually lead to good class sesion, but if it gets off to a bad start then there is a lot of time spent trying to regaining a positive class atmoshpere.
If the students have a positive first impression they will be tuned in from day one and soak up the information. Be prepared and know the material it makes all the difference.
Thanks Gail, excellent point, the bigger picture can be a tremendous help for an adult learner to see how everything fits together; beginning a class or presentation with something inspirational and connected to the expected outcomes can also be a great attention grabber.
Jay Hollowell
ED101 Guest Facilitator
I enjoy a course that starts with something inspirational about the field of study or the course in particular. It seems as if there really is a "bigger picture" than just the short term stress of getting all the work done for the grade in a course. This doesn't appeal to all personality styles but I know it fits mine and it helps me be centered while preparing to introduce the students to the course.
A positive first impression is important because it breaks the ice between teacher and student. If a teacher or student makes a good first impression then the class or the instructor wins the respect and atracts attention.
My first day in a new class, I went to each student and shook thier hand and introduced myself. At the end of the week, while the students where leaving class I shook each students hand and whished them a good weekend and to study and read their material to be prepared for Monday.
