Meeting the Class for the First Time
I always have my students introduce themselves and speak about their expectation from the program. I then speak about my career background.
Gamaliel,
Good addition. This additional information is very valuable for instructional planning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I like this approach as it eases the entrance of new students into the group. I would add to the questionnaire,
What made them choose this specific field and school?
I think that the first day of class is very important to myself as instructor and the student, it sets the tone for what is exspected from both parties.
My first day of class with new students is a perfect opportunity to learn their expectaions and goals they wish to do for their futures. After I explain my reasons for where I am and how I got here, I then ask the students to state why they are in the field, their dream job, and how this course will help them get there.
Sue,
I think this is a great approach because it instantly creates a connection between the experienced students and those that are just coming into the course. Also, it gives a source of information for the new students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I teach in a modular course so I can have new students enter every 6 weeks. In addition to having everyone introduce themselves (name, why they are here etc.) I also ask the "experienced" students to offer at least one piece of advice to the new students. It can be something they were told that they found valuable or it can be something they wish they had been told at the start of the class.
David,
I have used this ice breaker as well and it is a lot of fun for the students and you are right about how it fits real well with cohort groups. They think they know each other but when doing the two truths and a lie they have to concentrate since they don't know as much about each other as they think they do. Also, it gives you a chance to become part of the class during this sharing time which is important as you start the development of rapport with them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I get new students every five weeks. Most of the students have been classmates from the first class and know each other fairly well. I have found that an ice breaker can be very effective to get familiar classmates rejuvenated. One I have used to varying degress of success is having a student tell the class three things about themselves. The class then has to guess which is the "lie". Seems to work best with smaller numbers of students. Be sure to establish professional guidelines for the subject matter.
I think that is GREAT! I always ask why the choose this specific program and what it was they were doing before this as well.
Richard,
I like this one as well. It helps them to get to know another person plus they spend some time getting settled into the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I often have the students pair up and introduce each other rather than themselves. A good ice-breaker.
Jeff,
This is a good point. Since they are a cohort group you are the outsider to the group. To earn their respect you need to share with them information about yourself and your course requirements in a way that helps them see how success can be achieved in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Hi John,
I really like your idea about giving each student a question to read and answer when they introduce themselves to the class. That can tell the instructor a lot about that student, such as, how assertive are they?, can they infact, read?, how do they address the class, and the teacher? and many more. I plan on using this tool in the future for my classes.
Thanks, Shirley
In my particular school, the students have each teacher for a number of weeks on a given subject and then move on to another subject. By the time I teach them, they are already very familiar with one another, so the activities to get to know one another are not as applicable to me. However, I do feel that them getting an understanding of who I am, and where I'm coming from is incredibly important.
Dodi,
This is an important part of starting a new class. Once the students are comfortable they can settle in and start to focus on the content that is to come.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I get new students every three months and I do the same thing with them. It's nice because everyone learns about each other. I get to know the students, the students get to know me and the students get to know each other.
Norman,
Ice breakers like this help the students settle their nerves and get to know other students in the class. These introductions also help you to know the dynamics of the class you are going to have.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
On the first day of class, meeting tje students is always eciting, finding out about the class, and them learning about me and the class.
First night of class I take the questionaire given to the students and start from there.
I have each student stand up and tell what they are all about. Where they went to High School,
where they live (proximity) and what they expect to get out of the class.
They seem to ease up after this and are ready to get on with the work at hand.
