IT IS THE BREAKING OF THE ICE BETWEEN YOU AND THE STUDENTS. ALSO IT HELPS THE STUDENTS BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE WITH YOU AND THE CLASS
A positive first impression is important because it sets the stage for the rest of the course. During the first encounter with a new group of students, your tone, body language, and demeanor all play an important role in establishing yourself as their leader and authority figure. Additionally, if you set clear course guidelines, define your expectations of the students and their responsibilities in their own learning, you will give them a sense of where they are going in the course and how to get there. By sharing appropriate information about your own experience in their career field, describing how you propose to spend class time, and giving them ideas of how to study and take notes in your class, you provide them with an awareness that you care about and are committed to their learning. This positive first impression gives them a desire to participate in your class and motivation to succeed in the course.
It is important because this will set the tone for the rest of the class, on how you will direct it and how you will expect things from them as well as how they will either look to you as a mentor or motivator for them.
It will motivate the students to take that journey with you. Being standoffish or a bit too firm can easily turn certain personalities against you, creating even more work for you in building a group report in the beginning of the course.
I like that too! It puts more of a spotlight on particular personality types.
Making a positive first impression gives the students confidence in the instructor and raises the morale in the classroom. The students could reasonably preceive that you are interested in their learning and their ability to be successful in this class.
Hi Sharon,
Good point about making it to school when you don't feel the instructor is invested in your future. It is easy to drop out under these circumstances. We instructors can't let ourselves get into the position of being perceived as not caring.
Gary
A first impression lingers through the entire term and you only get one chance to make it. If you give a positive first impression the students will be excited about coming back. They will "buy into" the class and become vested in succeding.
It is hard to roll out of bed, leave your family, or turn off the tv, when you don't have a good first impression of your teacher. Why make that effort if the teacher doesn' extend themself and work to make that first impression a plesant one.
Hi David,
Right you are. It is much like pushing a rope up hill. Near impossible. So it is so much easier to get off to a positive good start and not have to worry about correcting a negative situation.
Gary
very true- it is very hard to re-gain thier confidance if you mess up the first impression. It also sets the tone for the whole course if you do it correctly
It is important to give a positive first impression because it is the most lasting impression the students have. Even if you redeem yourself in the course after getting off to a rocky start, the students will remember the first day/impression.
I always discuss my educational and professional experience to give context to the student as to my understanding of the subject, the profession and insight into my personality.
Making a positive first impression sets the tone for the class and reinforces what is expected of the student and my objectives for their learning experience.
I think a positive first impression is key .. it will set the course for a good relationship with the students when you show a positive attitude and express excitement for your students it gives them ease from the nervousness they may be feeling all it takes sometimes is a smile and a you can attitude to boost the confidence into some one who is unsure
The first time I taught a class, I'm sure the students knew I was very new because I didn't show confidence. Having confidence on that first day of class really makes a good first impression...I've learned!
Be prepared.
Introduce yourself.
Make eye contact with students and have a smiling face.
Dress professionally.
Hand out the syllabus.
Explain your expectations for the course.
Hi Tom,
Good information and advice for instructors. As you mention with all of your years of involvement with Toastmasters you know of which you speak. Sometimes new instructors forget the basics and don't set the stage the first class meeting. Then they have to play catch up for the remainder of the course.
Gary
Ultimately, you can never get that first impression back. If you set a tone that is not conducive to achieving the objectives of the course and thus your students, it makes the entire course a struggle.
Jared
From my 32 years in Toastmasters and other social organizations I have found that your introduction, will often decide your permanent place in the organization.This is also true in the classroom, I think. If you are percieved as a this is what is expected person, the students will respond, and if you come off as a easygoing laid back instructor, you tend to have many more problems with things like assignments turned in on time, etc.
The first impression will stay with the students to the end of the course.
It is important to create a positive first impression the first day of class because that will set the tone and expectations of the class for the rest of the quarter. It is important to establish trust between the teacher and student in a respectful, professional way from day one.
