Hi Mary,
This is such a great way to earn respect and establish rapport with your students. Right from the beginning you are showing them that you are there to help and support them and their success. This creates such a positive tone for the class that will carry throughout the duration.
Gary
Hi James,
So true and so important. This is good advice for all instructors. Sometimes instructors will overlook the planning needed for the first class and as a result they do not have the students engaged from the beginning of the course.
Gary
A positive first impression will put the students at ease. Being straight forward with them from day 1, and giving them expectations about you and the course you are teaching goes a long way. These simple tasks will help get you on the road to a positive working relationship between you and your students.
The goal of a positive first impression is:
1) to model for the students the professional behavior that you hope to teach them,
2) to manage the classroom effectively so that students learn from you and from each other but are not disruptive to other students, and
3) to motivate students to do their best in the class knowing that they will be accessed fairly at the end.
I remember as a student that is what I wanted to know and hear from my teacher. Today I try to answer each of these concerns about the course, rules and talk a little about me and my success. Then I ask some of my students' life and try to highlight the lives of those who despite their difficulties (social, economic, physical or age) are enrolled for further learning. This makes me see a little more human with my student and they can approach me if they need it. This works for me.
Mary
I am a firm believer that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. So I always try to arrive to class before any students, particularly on the first day. The classroom and the needed items should be there when they arrive. The impression created during the first day seems to set the stage for the remainder of the quarter.
Hi Mindy,
Right you are about the all important first impression. There is no reason to have to dig out of a bad situation with a bad situation. By doing what you describe in your forum comments you will have solved the issue of a positive first impression. I just wish other instructors could get a hold of this concept.
Gary
A first impression means everything. Making a first impression sets the stage to whether or not the students will take you serous. We all could name a hand full of bad and good first impressions that we will never forget. A positive, well dressed, groomed teacher will be interpreted as a role model. Whereas, a teacher with food in his or her teeth and wrinkled clothes will be perceived as someone who does not care about what he or she is teaching, making the students grades and motivation drop.
Hi Benjamin,
Right you are about first impressions. The students need to see that they are getting value from their tuition. By knowing they have a well prepared and qualified instructor leading the class they can get settled into the course and be ready to learn.
Gary
I have been teaching for a couple years now, but at a career school I often find myself to be one of the youngest if not THE youngest person in the room. Thus, it is very important for me to let them know right from the beginning that I am the expert in the room and am the one in charge.
A good first impression is important because the students need to know who is in charge from the beginning. It is also important to show that you are an expert in your field. This will help give them the feeling the class is worth their time and money.
Hi Douglas,
Good comments about how to handle class management. You set the boundaries and then you let the students operate within them. This makes it easier to maintain the order and flow of instruction.
Gary
Hi Robert: I wholeheartedly agree here. Additionally, I think if they believe you are truly vested and interested in their progress through your interaction and in honestly being concerned about their success, they will go that extra mile and also be vested not only in their progress, but lighten the burden teachers often have in motivating them.
If students know what kind of teacher you are and what you expect of them at the first meeting, then the rest of the class may go smoothly
A positive first impression sets the tone for the entire semester. Even a good instructor will have a difficult time overcoming a bad first impression.
A positive first Impression sets the tone for the entire duration of the class. An instructor who is punctual, upbeat, knowledgeable and respectful (consistently) will only improve students' perception of professionalism.
I am in total agreement in dressing and speaking the part, especially on day 1 when first impressions are very important. I am generally a bit more formal initially until I can ascertain the level of the class and the need for formality. While I may become more colloquial in some cases, I do find a strong need to maintain control at all times and make sure the students know I do not or will not tolerate insubordination or "hijacking" of a class for their own format or devices.
Creates an expectation. If you are sharp in all areas to include: apearance and over demonstrat respect for your craft in will become contagious!
A positive first impression is important when starting a new class because it is the first impression of you as an instructor.As an instructor you want to make a great first impression. The first impression allows the instructor to clearly state what he or she expects as well as the chance for the instructor to present themslves in a professional manner. The first impression also allows the instructor to clearly and firmly stand his or her grounds as the instructor. Arriving prepared when starting a new class shows that you are organized, and in a way it reflects the quality of you as an instructor as well as the quality of the student's education. As an instructor you want to make sure that you show your students that you are serious about their education and that you know the course material.
It allows you to take control of the class from the first day.
