It is important because it is hard to change first impressions.
Making a good first impression will make a lasting affect on your students and will make them more comfortable from the beginning of the course.
A positive first impression is essential for an instructor's credibility. If a student perceives an instructor to be disorganized, unknowledgable or otherwise unprepared for the class, that student will not pay attention. It is critical that the instructor share a love for the topic of the class and show an interest in having the students learn the subject. This helps to facilitate the learning experience for the students.
It is important because the students look to you for guidance. They want to know how they should look, perform and communicate in their newly choosen career field. They want to know what to expect from school and their jobs. Many students come in unprepared for a career. We must get them ready from day one preparing them in all areas of professionalism. How we present our selves to them is extremely important we are role models for them.
It is easier to do this from the start rather than back track.
A positive first impression is important because the students are looking to you as a role model. You don't want them to learn bad habits from you by being late, showing up to class in clothes that are not acceptable, and being unprepared. You want to lead by example.
A positive first impression for a class is to be positive and motivating to get the students excited to learn. It is also very important though, on first impression to clearly set expectations, and to let students know your responsibilties as an instuctor, and their responsitbilties as a students. Students thrive on structure.
That positive first impression will inspire the students interest in the topic being taught and will ensure their return to class. We really have to make a positive impression at the beginning of every class to make our job somewhat easier but the first time a student meets the instructors is most important. That first meeting isn't always in the classroom so we need to be considerate at student orientations and college functions as well as around campus and in the classroom.
I feel if you portray a good positive first impression, it relieves some of the stress some students have about coming back in the classroom. That they made a right decision about being here.
A positive first impression is important for students for many reasons. One of the most important reasons is that it puts the students minds at ease and creates a comfortable learning atmosphere and when there is a comfortable atmosphere in the classroom, then learning can take place.
The first impression sets the tone for the rest of the course. So you absolutely want to project a positive one right from day one!
Students, whether old or young, are very perceptive and will pick up on things like the instructor not being prepared, indifferent, late, ect and take these as your reflection of the importance of the class.
If the instructor doesn't think the class is worth preparing for or being on time for, why should the student?
We must remember our role as a model.
It settles the tone of the day, the audience is going to pay attention in what you have to say, respect and believe in you.
In my math classes my students are often petrified of the course, so making a good impression can be crucial. My students need to know that I care and will be there to help them and not criticize them.
But they also need to know that I will be fair and consistent. Just because I want them to succeed does not mean that I will not hold them to the same standard as everyone else in the class. That first day is what it is all about! If you blow it you will regret it for a very long time--I would know as I was a first year teacher once and it was a miserable year, but I learned quickly. :)
The first impression can make or break how the students relate to you.
when i teach math, I always explain that I was not the best math student. I understand that you can get frustrated. i ask them to trust me because I have been in their shoes.
The first impression relates very directly to your role as a model while leading a class. Your students will see you, hear you, observe your mannerisms, etc. and make a judgement as to whether you are someone that they can see themselves becoming. The more you can project a positive and professional image, the more your students will accept your qualification to instruct and guide them.
It will put the students at ease and it may help dismay any false assumptions that they may have
I agree with this statement completly. Excitment is contagious. Every student will know if the instructor does not like the class he/she is teaching and then therefor will probably not be interested themself.
It's all about showing YOUR own passion as an example to the students.
A positive first impression is crucial in drawing your students in and wanting them to come, learn and participate in class. Since our classes are usually a little smaller, I will make all of the students introduce themselves individually and I will ask some questions to find out a little bit about them. That makes them more comfortable right off the bat with some of their fellow classmates. I will then introduce myself and tell them some of my background and include some similarities between myself and some of the information I learned about from their stories. Students should know that you want to know them individually, and that will make them more comfortable in class and more comfortable with approaching you outside of class with any issues that may arise.
