i am able to give a description of my background in my class and I am able to access students immediately to see who has a medical background who is returning back to school after many years, and see if they have any anxiety
Hi Laura,
Good way to get a class off to a good start. The ice breaker and the introductions really help to get everyone settled into the course. This method also lets the students see what experiences you bring to the class and how you will be sharing those experiences with them throughout the course.
Gary
Through introductions of yourself and the students you are accomplishing familiarity. You are letting the students know a little about you as an instructor and what you expect, as well as it allows you to get familiar with your students. It is important to have good communication skills as well as an understanding of each other.And in order to understand each other you must have good communication skills. And with all said, to maintain a healthy instructor/student relationship you must be familair with each other as well as communicate effectively.
You are not going to buy a car from a salesman you do not trust. You have to build a strong report with your students. Let them know how much you respect them for making the decision to come back to school. You have to sell yourself if you want your students to buy what you are teaching.
By introducing myself to the students, they learn my name, and a little about who I am. Discussing my background with them, lets them know that I am knowledgeable in this area.
The introduction of the students helps me learn their names, and lets me know a little about them. I always tell my students, your are not just a number to me, you are a human being and I want to learn something about you.
I agree that students find it interesting to learn about their instructors. They feel like the teacher is a real person when they hear the real life stories. Students always enjoy hearing about my work experiences with clients.
I have learned that introducing myself and giving an overview of my experience and the facilities I have worked in and what my job responsibilities were/are gives the students a sense of who I am and what I can bring to their education. I then like to go around the room and get their name and what they do and what brought them to this particular field, again informal and brief but also very telling. I then allow them to ask me questions about my experiences, it is a great way to break the ice, give them a first hand idea of what they are working so hard for and lets me see where their interests are related to the field of study. Actually its a great ice breaker for all.
Hi Susan,
Good way to start a class off. This icebreaker lets everyone get settled into the course and develop comfort with how the class is going to operate.
Gary
Hi Dianne,
I take this same approach because the classroom is a professional setting and thus that is what we should share. By sharing your professional experiences you are giving the students insight to what a career in this field is going to be like and that is what the goal should be.
Gary
I tell the students the story of my career and teaching experience along with some things from my family life. I then test their memory with a little game and see how much they remember and how well they were listening. I try this game into later discussion about improving memory in one of the chapters. I also ask the students their names, favorite food to make and their career goals. I learn about them and they learn about me, and it is a good way to develop rapport with the students.
Great idea. I have a new class in a couple of weeks and am going to try this. I'm Dianne and I'm determined :)
I, too, do not discuss my personal life at any level. I tell my students they can ask any questions relating to my surgical experience, but there is nothing they need to know about my personal life that will assist them in succeeding in their chosen field. This also helps set the boundary of instructor/student. I do share something funny that happened in my surgical career to show my "human" side.
Dianne
Introducing myself and student introductions puts everyone at ease and establishes mutual respect. It lets the students know they are in good hands with someone experienced in their field and enthusiastic to teach them what they need to succeed. Student introductions give me a clue to the comfort level of each student speaking in front of the class which helps later in class discussions.
Dianne
Hi Dianne,
This also helps to get the students settled into the class and get a feeling for how the class will function. This introduction time is so important for setting the tone for the course.
Gary
I introduce myself to my students including the number of years I have been in their field. I have the students introduce themselves including why they chose this field. Their introductions give me an idea of their level of knowledge which helps when I'm forming groups.
Hi Sheila,
Good way to create a connection between yourself and your students. They can see your passion and enthusiasm about the field they are preparing to enter.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
Good strategies for helping the students to get focused on the course and how it is going to operate. You are providing them with the human aspect of learning with your attention to the emotional aspects of respect and support.
Gary
Hi Kim,
This is a great way to get the students settled into the course and feeling comfortable with how the course is going to flow. This sets the stage for success for both the students and yourself.
Gary
I like to introduce myself and give some background about myself and why I choose the same field they have choosen, with lots of enthusiasm.
Also, to gain their respect and create excitement for them for choosing the field and to let them know what great success they have to look forward too!
When I introduce myself to my students, I feel it is a personal moment. I make it a point to know my student's name, whether it is 50 or 150 students. I believe it brings a human aspect to the relationship. Introductions signal acceptance and genuine interest. Concern, mutual respect and enthusiasm are a critical part of the human relationship.
