The first impression sets the tone for their response to you and it can guide how the students will interact with you as an instructor.
The students need to feel secure with who they are learning from. A good first impression will help the students feel confident with the instructor which starts a positive learning environment.
It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the student forms an opinion about their instructor based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed. It’s important to know how to create a good first impression. A few qualities to making a good first impression are, being on time, presenting yourself appropriately, being open and confidant, and being courteous and attentive. Showing these qualities will make a great first impression on your students.
It gives the students a visual to accompany all the verbal information. It is easier to believe the instructor if they look organized and are well rehearsed.
You can't not not communicate! Everything begins with first impressions and goes well or poorly from that starting point. Get a leg up on a positive learning journey and project the best foot forward impression. Learners appreciate a positive and professional learning environment. :-)
Hi Dana,
You are right about being the link between them and their learning success. They have the opportunity and access to a professional in their field, you for the duration of the course. They can gain much from you by staying focused on the course and listening carefully to what you say and learning the skills you show them.
Gary
Hi Michael,
What methods do you use to get your message across about what you know and how it is going to affect them in the course? What do you do to get them settled into the course and ready to learn?
Gary
I am the key that unlocks their minds to the learning process. How I approach the class sets the pace of learning. Letting the students know that I know the material being taught but not in a negative way. Letting the students know that I, was once in the same position.
First students do not know you when they enter your class. A positive first impression makes them at ease with you as a person and an instructor. They want to know what you know and how that is going to affect them in the course.
It sets the tone, and above all, you never have a second chance to make a first impression. The first class tells students how serious the instructor is. From the late policy, attendance policy, exams, chapters covered etc, students know the level of expectation and will work accordingly.
Hi Rolinda,
This is a great way to approach a new class. You are informing, modeling and supporting your students and your profession while showing your students that you care about their success. I know your students get off to a good start as a result of your efforts.
Gary
I plan to be in my classroom 1/2 hr before my class write my name in the board and greet all my students as they come in to my classroom. I introduce my self. I'll emphasized to them that I will follow the school syllabus as well as the policy of the school about absentism tardiness and instructions on the student hand book that they need to pay attention to it. Encouraged them to come and see me by appoinment so to give others chance to see me. I will reassure them that they can always call me for any questions. I will set my bounderies, and at the same time I will make sure that my students success is my goal.
It's all about first point of contact . The way you come off is going to stay in your students minds through out their dealings with you
It is difficult to overcome a negative first impression. It is a great time to set the tone for the course. It tells the students who you are, and what you are about. In general I think the students want to like the teacher, and they want to feel that you are competent in the material, and are happy when they do.We all want the best teachers and it starts on the first day.
Hi Brandy,
You are right about how important the first day of class is for both the students and the instructor. This sets the tone for the upcoming course sessions. What are some of the concerns you hear being expressed by students the first class meeting?
Gary
The first day of class is a very important time for faculty to establish a tone for what will happen the rest of the term. It is appropriate that a teacher reflect on just what climate and first impression she/he would like to establish.Conveying a sense of enthusiasm for the content is important.
Brandy
Hi Ronald,
Yes, you are sharing your life experiences with your students in a way that helps them to relate to the course content and how that content applies to their lives. This also helps you with the development of respect with your students.
Gary
I agree with you Ronald. I went through 9 years of school and when I communicate this with the students they seem to be put at ease that you relate to them and understand what they are going through.
I tend to let students know that I also was a student once, with time constraints and compromises to make evey day. It allows you to be "human" and let them know that you do understand the issues that they face and I give them advice to over come those hurdles that they will face. It is simply sharing your "manager" abilities.
A positive first impression sets the tone for the entire class and puts the students at ease too with the instructor.
The concept of creating a positive first impression is vital and the necessary pre planning should go a long way in making this happen.
