I agree that it is very hard to overcome a bad first impression. Important to be prepared and confidant in the beginning to make your time together easier
If you set the standards students will see teacher as a role model
The first impression sets the tone for the rest of the course - discipline, expectations, leadership, students' feelings of safety in expressing themselves - off of these would be set the first day. If you do not take the time to make a good impression, a bad one will most likely be formed that you as the instructor may be struggling against the rtemainder of the course.
LaShonda,
Your last sentence says a lot. A positive impression is the foundation for the development of respect and rapport which are two essential elements for learning success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A positive first impression is one that will stick with your students forever. It is also one that they will tell other students about.
If you come into the class on the first day with a bad impression, your students will have a hard time getting over the barrier and it will be hard for them to learn from you.
However, if you are positive, they will be more inclined to respect you and learn from you.
A positive first impression can help to ease student anxieties of class and make the instructor seem more approachable. For some students that positive first impression may increase their likelihood of participating in class. Also first impressions can lasting and no matter how great you are afterwards that negative first impression will continue to resonate for awhile.
Andrew,
Building on a positive first impression makes it a lot easier to get the course started rather than having to dig out of a hole with a negative one.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
First impressions are lasting. Students may be apprehensive and nervous on their first day of class. As an instuctor it is important to set the tone the very first day of class.
Kristi,
Well said. It is so much easier to build on a positive first impression rather than spend a lot of time digging out of a negative hole for the next few weeks.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
An abundant amount of students allows create a large mass of assumptions based upon a first impressions. If you make a bad impression when starting class for the first time, many students will create many assumptions on your character and teaching style. Additionally, it is very difficult to make up for the first impression as opposed to all meeting in the future. If you make a good first impression, students will give a much more positive outlook not only in the class but also you as a teacher.
Andrea,
It sure does and thus the reason we need to work hard to make it a great one for our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe that the first impression is the only impression. Research has shown this to be true. The first impression sets the tone for the entire course.
A bad first impression is very hard to overcome. Students can initally alienate you in their class, so finding common groound and respect can be more difficult. Make you new students feel comfortable, talk with them, not at them, and answer any and all questions they may have.
Trust is a very important issue. If your students don't trust you, chances are they will be hesitant to do what you ask of them.
It sets the tone for the students in what to expect in your class. They will come to respect you and want to mimic what they as you for a role model
A positive first impression, aides in the students ability to connect with the instructor, which will ultimately set the tone for how your students will interact with you, learn from you, and participate.
Russell,
Yes, the first impression will set the tone for the class. We need to do everything we can to make sure that impression is positive and the students can see the value of the course they are going to be taking.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students tend to form impressions very quickly. The first impression you give the students will be the one that sticks with them through out the entire class. The first impression must be positive because it is a lasting one.
It is often hard to change it. The "to do list" is a key to make a good impresion the first time
It is important that I make a positive impression on the first day. I have seen the impact of either being early or late can have on how the day will go. Arriving early to class allows for me to prepare and organize my paperwork and setup for the day. Arriving late and being unprepared causes for unecessary stress. This stress is evident and the can potentially be felt by the students. Organization sets a good example to the students.
