Gary,
Your first sentence really captures the reason why a positive first impression needs to be made. From the first day onward it is a building process if a positive first impression is made.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First impression are lasting impressions. It gives others a way to determine what type of person you are or for customers whether they want to do business with you. People can learn a lot from first impressions.
To develop a rapport between the instructor and the student. It gains the trust and respect of both. Student will be comfortable, student thinks that the instructor cares and easy to approach and the student feels that he/she is a part of a family.
Making a first impression a positive one is very important to set the tone and mood of the classroom. Every class, students need to know im available for them. I make it clear that my goal/ mission is to prepare them for not only to pass the class but also the working world.
Making a positive first impression is important when starting a new class because it helps set the tone for the entire course. Many people remember their first impression when meeting someone for the first time and this can color the relationship as it develops. The key in any relationship is to communicate and demonstrate one's commitment to the relationship.
James,
Good description of how the first day of class needs to go. If done this way then it is a building process from there throughout the rest of the course sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The first impression is extremely important for the first day of class. The first day sets the tone for the course. This day informs the students on the instructor's name course name and number and decreases anxiety by being in the correct place. The brief intro about the instructor identifies the instructor as the expert and the classroom authority. If allows the instructor to give staudents his/her accessibility. The taking of attendance sets the foundation for classroom order. The first day strives to give a general understanding about the course. Moreover, the students learn the instructor's expectations about student participation. The students understand how they fit in and how they will succeed in the course.
John,
Right you are. Without a good first impression your problems with student behavior management will increase because as you say you have not earned their respect or trust. A good first impression helps to set the climate for the course to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's important for me to make a positive first impression in my class to gain my students' trust. They want to be assured that the time & money they've invested in the class will be rewarded with a positive learning experience. If this trust is not established I run the risk of losing control of my class.
John M.
We are all familiar with the expression "First Impression Counts." When used, oftentimes it refers to the interview. However, this expression should not be confined to the interview only. As instructors, it refers to us. We have to get to class on time. We should start our class on time. Our teaching materials should be prepared beforehand. We should not be rushing out of class to go to the copier. Our students are watching us and they will se how disorganized we are. Our lectures may not be effective because students will not take us seriously. We must remember that 'Example Is The Best Precept.'
I feel that a positive first impression is important to establishing yourself as an instructor who cares that your students are there to learn and that you will do what it takes to teach them what they need to know to pass the class by giving them the materials to do this.
The students need to know who you are and what you are about, I do not think it is a matter of a good impression but they need to know what are your expectations
Ruth Ann,
This is such a simple but highly effective way to get students settled into and feeling comfortable about the new class they are starting. This lays the foundation for engagement and respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
HAROLD,
Well said. The first impression establishes you as the learning leader and also helps you to be the class manager. If you don't reflect a professional image then it won't be long before you will be tested by the students in terms of who is going to run the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It sets the tone for the entire course. I meet students as they enter the classroom, shake their hands and introduce myself to them.
Harold Haynes:
A positive first impression is extremely important when starting a new class. From the very first instance you step in that classroom, you are being assessed. We start a new module every 5 weeks with new students coming to our classroom. They enter the class, take up their respective seats,(oftentimes, the trouble makers sit at the bacck of the class). As a Clinical MA a
instructor, I give out the necessary first-day documents including the syllabus, explain the rules and regulations of the laboratory, the code of conduct and the class participation guidelines. If I do not give a positive first iimpression, my students will think that I am not well organized. They will also think that I do not know my subject matter. It will make the remainder of the module extremely difficult for me.As we always tell our students, "First Impression Counts."
Monica,
Sharing your career experience also helps the students to see you as a real person that has earned her living doing what you are teaching. This is a valuable bit of information for the students to have as they look forward to taking the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to make a good first impression because that is what will be remembered by the students; you need to set the standards for the class and be a role model. If you walk in late or very disorganied, that is how the students will percieve you.
For my class it sets the tone for the students to show that I am more of a people person and not a tech geek. I have my Master's in Technology and understand all the material before I teach the class. But I have noticed that when I talk about my professional background with the subject matter, it tends to ease my students and they can ask all the questions they need to understand the material and real life situations. And boy do they throw a few off the wall questions too.
James,
I agree because it is your life and career experiences that go you in front of the students. Sharing so of that experience with them validates what you are offering a course of value.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
