Building raport with your students. It makes the students more comfortable with you as a human being. Some students are overwhelmed by school and sometimes an instructor might seem to be unapproachable when a student needs help. By showing the student that you are human it makes it easier for them to ask you for help.
I enjoy learning about my new group of students. Sometimes, not often, I will have a trying group, but I always try to get a feeling for how they best learn before we start any lab activities. It is the only real way to be successful for ALL of the students. Wendy
There are many things you can accomplish using introductions. First of all you can start learning who your students are and they can learn who you are. Students can become at ease in the class, get to know the other students, and discover that they are not alone. Students can find similarities between themselves and others; sometimes beginning friendship with those who are also on thier career path.
Introductions are good for breaking the ice the first day of class. As an instructor you let the students get to know you a little. You also show them you are someone who is credible in your field. By letting them introduce themselves you get a feel of what type of students you are getting and they get to know each other.
Introductions sets everyone at ease. They can offer new friendships, finding things you have in common, seeing who is in your same field, and basically let you know that you are not alone.
As an instructor, introductions help me learn who my students are. Some I have seen before others are new to me, and sometimes to the college. I can learn what degree fields I have in the classroom so I can make my examples related to those fields. Sometimes on really good introductions I can figure out if a student is confident in thier studies are will be a hand holder through out.
I spend as little time as possible introducing myself. I open the floor up to have the class ask me any (appropriate) questions about me. I've found that that seems to work better.
You let them know you care about who is sitting in your classroom, and that they are important as individuals. You can find out what their goals are, thus why they're in your class. You also are giving the students an opportunity to learn about each other and make it easier for them to begin communication that will ultimately increase their success in your class.
I believe a instructor introduction is necessary to convey to students that I am approachable. I don't have to be self depricating to get my message across, but I can tell a few stories about myself to ease the tension of new students. Dr. Meers, you stated "Rapport is a powerful motivator for students because they know you care about their success." I find this true in all aspects. If I see what captures their attention or what makes them smile and laugh right off the bat, I will know how to interact in the future when material is a little duller and slower.
I feel that there are several things happening during instructor and student introductions. First, the class is getting to know one another and feeling more comfortable with eachother. Secondly, the students are getting to know the instructor and understanding where his knowledge came from.
You are sitting a base on how your students will look at you and the course.
Getting to know your student helps you access their goals and reason for taking this course. Giving your students knowledge of your experience helps them determine if you will provide them with the insight they hope to gain from you.
Hi Wendy,
Right you are. Feeling accepted and supported gives the confidence students need to move forward in the course.
Gary
Giving everyone a sense of comfort and security. Getting to know strangers is an unsettling experience for most but once accomplished, produces a sense of comfort and ease for any enviroment.
I think it's a great way to start a new class!
Hi Dray,
Very well said. This is the mentoring and supportive part of what we do as educators. We not only share knowledge but we also provide ways of encouraging students when they are have life challenges. The examples you mentioned reflect what comes through our classroom doors each day and we need to be good listeners when those issues arrive. By being supportive we are going to keep our students engaged and focused on their futures.
Gary
Dr. Meers asked: “What are you accomplishing through introductions of yourself and the students?â€
In addition to the obvious and previously stated listing of student data, I’ve found that students often subtly communicate their fears, insecurities, medical struggles, marital circumstances, etc. during student introductions and the first few assignments of the course. They also share strengths, joyful plans, and other factors that might hinder or propel them later in the course. Once, in an assignment a student communicated that her husband of many years, was quite resentful of her returning to school to fulfill a lifetime dream of obtaining a degree. He felt that she had no use for a degree, simply because she was over 60 years of age. Another student shared that she & her husband were struggling through infertility and actively trying to get pregnant. I’ve heard everything from painful military deployments, wedding plans, miscarriages, domestic violence, and messy divorces, shared by students with a spirit of hope and expectation, that despite what they were going through they would not give up on getting an education.
When students share extreme levels of joy or pain, I am able to make a note that I may need to check in on this student, send an email to offer resource referrals, share a word of encouragement, monitor timeliness of assignment submissions, etc. When you carry yourself as an instructor that genuinely cares about the entirety of the students, including their wellbeing a individuals, students know that you are there to truly assist them in reaching their goals.
Through introductions an instructor accomplishes two things: establishes credibility and professionalism with the student and shows their human side. Student introductions help instructors learn names and associate certain experiences with each student there by learning about ways to connect better with each member of the class.
Establishing rapport with students initially is a way to make students feel comfortable with the learning environment.
Just as social networking has become a venue to keep students engaged at school.
Introductions and connectivity in the first meeting helps student to ask questions and learn from their peers as well as the instructor.
Jean
For me, the students get to know more about me - where I come from, my past work experiences and my experience as a teacher.
Hi Margaret,
This is such a great asset in the development of students. If they can learn how to improve their oral communication skills they are going to be much better positioned to advance in their career areas. Great to hear about the connection that the students make with each other during the first speech.
Gary
I teach Speech to new students and our first speech is on of self introduction. Students are very honest and often show their vulnerability and can get quite emotional. It is quite amazing to see the change in relationships from new student strangers to new friends. They bond, become a team, and help and support each other. It is a marvelous metamorphosis to behold!
