A positive first impression is one of the keys to the success of your class. You want your students to like you as an instructor, and want to learn from you. You want them to trust that you are giving them all the knowledge that you can.
Ron,
Building on a positive first impression is so much easier than trying to dig out of a negative hole. We set the stage for the course with how we set up the first meeting. With a positive first impression we have formed the foundations from which we can earn the respect of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Making a Positive First Impression: I believe that making that first impression is very important for yourself and the students it sets the stage for how the class will see you for the very first time.
Ron Giger
Christopher,
Good point and one we need to remember as we start each new class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Given the amount of time available to teach some of these courses, it is critical to start with a positive impression. Otherwise trying to make up for that impression can infringe on time that should be spent instructing.
Sarah,
Well said. Students need to feel accepted and valued from the first class meeting on.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A positive first impression will allow the students to know that you are an approachable person and are able to answer any questions for them. The last thing a student needs to worry about is if their teacher doesn't like them or can't be talked to.
John,
All good strategies to help students see the value you place on them and the content you are going to be sharing. This sets the tone for the upcoming class sessions and gets the students engaged right from the beginning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As in most aspects of life, making a first impression is crucial. I feel that not being properly prepared is the main reason why some instructors fail to make a a proper first impression. Having the Syllabus prepared and ready to hand out the first class is vitally important. The instructor also needs to be familiar with the textbook and to have recently reviewed the material to be covered in class. Also, instructors should be in the classroom when the students arrive which to me shows that the instructor takes the class very seriously. The instructor is also there to discuss with the students any questions or problems the students have.
Erika,
Your last sentence really says it all. With a good impression it is a building process from there and this is where respect is earned and rapport developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Brandon,
Good first impression set up for your class. This way you get the class off to a good start while setting the tone for how the class will operate. It is a building process from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A positive first impression helps determine the amount of respect your students will have for you. Start off right and you can engage them for the rest of the semester.
The first time someone meets a person is usually when the first impression will count the most. Over the years of teaching, I have found many important things that would be part of my first day impression. As an educator, the first impressions are my objectives, rules, outline of the course, what I expect, polices of the college and the instructors polices to make it short. I stand by my rules the first day until the last day. (Not to leave out- professional and on time and ready for lecture)
Margaret,
Good points about the all important first class meeting. It does set the tone for the upcoming class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It truly sets the tone for a positive experience. Also, it can give the the student affirmation that they have made a good choice. Benefits to their new career choice need to be seen from the beginning.
Cathy,
Right you and something we need to remember each time we start a new class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You never get a second chance to make a first impresion. This sets the tone for your class and you as an instructor
Efrain,
I commend you for your effort due to your other commitments and the shortness of the class sessions. Keep up the good effort. Something I use for shorter courses are 5X7 cards and have students make name tents from them. At the first class meeting I give the students the cards along with a wide variety of colored markers. They put their names on the cards using the different colors to set out their names on the cards. They pick up the cards each time the class meets and put them on their desk and/or work area. This way I get a visual reminder each time I work with that student. This really speeds up the process for me in learning their names. I collect the cards at the end of the class and hold them until the next class session. The process of putting out and collecting the cards helps me to learn the names much quicker. Also, having the name tents on their desks helps guest speakers when they are calling on students, a nice little side benefit of the name tent effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I totally agree with this. But I am going to confess, I am struggling with this at the moment. I am used to teaching classes at a slower pace that gives me more time to remember the students names. I am now in a situation that the classes I am currently teaching are 5 weeks long and they only meet up 2 days a week. I have another job and am a non traditional student at the same time. Which is not making it any easier to remember the students I have in my classes by their names. What aggravates me the most is by the time I remember their names the 5 weeks are up, and I feel i was just getting good at the names. Not sure if I can improve this at all, but I am trying my best, because being an older student myself still, i do know how nice it feels when an instructor remembers me by my name. Any tips that anyone knows on making this a smoother process is much appreciated.
Bonita,
This is such an important thing to students especially older students. It shows them that you respect them and that you are willing to invest in learning their names because of the value they bring to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
