A positive first impression let's the students how the class will be run. As an instructor setting a positive impression, you will gain the respect of your students from the first day of class. This will give the students the immpression that you are there to teach them and they will be more willing to learn.
A positive first impression sets the mood for the whole class. If you want your students tobe on time, then you should be early, if you want them to act professional you should do the same. If they don't then hold them accountable for their actions.
I always love it wehn they say that Instructor so and so allows us to ... I say Im not them and I don't ask you to do anything that I wouldn't do myself.
A positive first impression can set a good tone for the rest of the class and make it a positive learning experience for everyone; including the Instructor. The students tend to react as mirror images to what the Instructor projects with regard to enthusiasm, knowledge of the material, and why they should take the course seriously, i.e. why is the course important. I always make sure my name, course number, and course title are on the drawing board so they immediately know whether or not they have walked into the right class. I also have an attendance sheet for them to sign with the time they arrived and left in their own handwriting in case attendance should ever become an issue, but it also visually represents that their attendance is expected for the full class period. In addition, I start out with a brief antecdotal story about myself, my past learning and working experiences, and why I enjoy teaching so much. It's important to be careful what you say and how you answer questions because you only get one chance to make a good first impression.
A positive first impression is important when starting a new class because this is what is going to stick with the students as the course goes on. The students will feed off of that and take their own opinion with them and with the rest of the class.
The impression you make is going to decide on how the class will run. I let my students know I am strict, but at the same time I believe we can have fun. The students understand that I expect them to follow the classroom rules and the policies of the campus. However, they also understand that I am human and enjoy having fun.
The first day of class is a very important time for faculty to establish a tone for what will happen the rest of the module, between you and your students.
You can avoid the "first day anxiety" by handing out a syllabus, giving an assignment, and reviewing with the class.
Hi Harry I do think that those impressions can also be changed. I have had many students that initially did not present themselves as professionals in the clinic setting whether it was their use of inappropriate language or a problem with personal apperance. But as time goes by they see the way that they are received compared to the others they begin to change, sometimes slowly but change they do until they are as welcomed by the staff and patients as any others, it is a great thing to see
It sets the tone for the class. I have found, that my opening remarks and attitude go a long way towards setting the tone of the class overall, but also help set the tone for individual behavior.
It has been said you cannot undo a first impression, and I have always agreed with that statement, until last semester. I run a tight ship and I am adamant about my students being on time, especially for my 8 am class. I have an old saying I recite to the class, “If you are early you are on time, and if you are on time you are lateâ€.
I do not take credit for that statement; however, it carries a lot of truth. In one of my lectures the topic of first impressions came up and I made the statement that 1st impressions cannot be undone. Much to my surprise one of my students told me I was wrong. I asked the student to prove the statement and I was used as the example.
The student stated the 1st day impression of me had changed, since it was realized that my adherence to being on time was not being a mean person/instructor, but was an attempt to teach the values needs to exceed in the business community.
In front of the class the student thanked me for my concern and dedication to making the entire class aware of the importance of good work ethics and how invaluable they will be in the work place.
The Instructor set the class tone. This allow the studnets to know what to expect durnig the
course. what the instructor expectation are.
It is the impact of first impressions. In categorizing people, we all take shortcuts, and first impressions about people often turn into long-term perceptions and reputations
I feel that presenting myself professionally in apperance, dress and manner sets a tone in the clinical environment that carries over to the students. I think in todays society especially with younger students, some of the work ethic, professional manner of behavior, dress and respect are lacking. The student needs to understand that we are a guest in the clinical environment and that we are involved in the lives of our patients on a very personal level. If in all areas of my personal presentation I do not put my best foot forward then the students will not have a positive new role model. The clinical sites will also judge my instution, myself and the students by what they are presented with.
A first impression sets the standard for the rest of the course. The instructor has to be professional, and in control of the classroom. Yet I want to let the students know I am there to help them, and to share my expertise and enthusiasm with each of them. Every stundent in my class may have the same goal, yet each gets there on a different path. The first class can let them know I will do whatever I can to be the "roadmap" to that destination.
Hi Beth,
Good way to start the class off with them knowing how they can communicate with you.
Gary
Because the first class lays the groundwork for the rest of the course. Write your name on the board aand contact number and email,this will let the students know you care right off the bat.
Hi Ellen,
This is a good approach to integrating yourself into a course after it has already been started. This can be hard to do and you have a system developed to let you do this each time you are introduced to the students. Good job.
Gary
Hi Sunshine,
Good points about how to set the stage for moving the course forward and getting the students thinking about the content that is going to be delivered by a highly qualified professional educator.
Gary
Hi Catherine,
Right you are about the first impression. It is so much easier go forward with a good impression rather than trying to dig out of a negative hole.
Gary
Because I provide instruction to the class regarding library research, I arrive after the class is established. I find that if I provide information about my background and a solid rationale for learning about library research, even if the main motivation is to get that "A" on a research paper, that the students focus on my lecture and respect my expertise.
It is important to me that my students trust me. I want them to know that I want them all to succeed and that they can do this. I also want them to know my door is open and if they have any questions or issues, they can talk to me. They should see that I am punctual and professional, as well as have a great knowledge base in our field. The first impression sets the "mood" for the rest of the course and if it is negative, it's hard to get back on track.
