It is always said, we only have 1 chance at a 1st impression! Meeting students for the first time really sets the tone for the class. I always go in (each morning in fact) with a smile on my face and greet with a loud good morning! The students (even though early in the morning) respond well to the morning enthusiam!
I let them know up front what I expect from them as it relates to their class work and homework. Many of my students are low income and do not have computers at home. I let them know when the labs are open and encourage them to visit libraries in the area. I tell them there are no excuses for NOT getting the work done. It may sound harsh at first but by doing this, I avoid confrontation in the future.
I feel first impression say's alot
Making a postive first impression is so important because it sets the tone, expectations,authority, and gives an indication of how the instructor will manage the class.
I agree-you should let your students know that you are easily acessible to them/for them and are willing to help them.
I believe that making a positive first impression will set the motivation for a student. If the student feels the instructor is on his or her side and there to support them from the very beginning, the student is more likely to succeed.
Hi Bridgette,
Right you are about respect. Respect is earned not gifted so you need to be providing your students with ways they can earn your respect and you theirs. It sounds like you have a great way of making this happen.
Gary
It makes the student feel confident, if they know you are there and care about them to help them retain the knowledge they need to enter the workforce, they will respect you.
The old saying is very true, people always remember a positive first impression longer. For the student, it sets a positive tone that you are an instructor who knows what they are doing and that they will learn something in the class.
Hi Dr. Gundaboena,
Right you are. If they know you care and are prepared to teach them they will respect you and what you are teaching.
Gary
Hi Curt,
This is where you let your personality come through. As you say let them know you want to be their teacher. The reward for this effort will be increased student motivation and learning.
Gary
It makes them feel confident about the method of lecture and they participate actively
It wins the respect and confidence of students regarding the instructor
Lets your students feel comfortable that you know what you want to teach them.
Making a strong first impression conveys a sense of confidence and trustworthiness from the instructor to the student. These important relational foundations become key for the student to relax and engage in the class with few reservations or concerns about the intructor's abilities to teach him/her effectively and professionally. If a good first impression is not conveyed the instructor will have to dig him/herself out of this deficit position which is a waste of valuable time and energy.
I always feel like making my expectations clear is the best way to start off a semester. If I am clear and they understand what is expected of them, it will reduce the chances of miscommunication and help them get off to a good start.
The first impression helps set the tone for the rest of the term. A positive first impression show who is in charge, that you care about the course, and developing professionalism.
I strongly agree, first impressions are lasting
There are many reasons why a positive first impression is important when starting a new class. Students are uneasy on the first day of class, sometimes scared, or they have heard different things from other students. Through a positive first impression, you can reinforce these concepts or put them at ease.
It can set the tone as how the students with react to you for the rest of the term. Are you easy with attendence, if so they will walk in and out of your classroom through out the class time; in enessence disrupting the flow of the entire class.
If you show that you are serious about your work, then that can transfer to the students who can become serious about thier work. If you show respect to the student and request respect back, it shows students how they should act in a given situation.
If any of these or other situations can go from one extreem to another.
In esseness positive impressions can lead to positive outcomes; negitive impressions can lead to negitive outsomes. It is so much easier to lose a positive impression or outcome than it is for the negetive ones.
It lets your students know that you are there to help them and also to let them know you know what you are doing. The first day can make or break your class.
