It is important to discuss your accessiblity to the students as well as review policies and procedures that are relevant and specific to your class and include them in syallbus.
It is important to be prepared for class.
It is important to have some group activities for the students so they get to know each other and it will also help them relax a little bit in class.
I usually take pictures of students, 5 at a time (with their permission), in alphabetical order as per the roster. Each day, I try to learn the names of at least 5 students. But now I have 50-75 students in a class, and a lot of material to cover each day, so I am not sure what to do to learn that many names! Any ideas anyone?
Importance of using student's names.
The first impression is the most important. Remember the 3 M's: model, manage and motivate. in the classroom early to prepare, have your materials ready and be ready to greet the students as they walk into the classroom. Introduce yourself and share some of your background and experience. Introduce a fun activity where they can also introduce themselves and share something as well.
I understand it makes students feel more comfortable if they know some background about the instructor and his background/qualifications. Plus, students need to get to know each other as well.
Let them know through your experince and training that you are qualified to teach the course. Inform them of the what they will be learning and your expections for them in the course.
Take time to get to know a little ablout each student
Learning 30 to 60 names in a short amount time can be a difficult task for some. It is significantly easier to recognize something about a person though. Learning some detail about them on the first day will help remember the students individually.
I learned the importance of giving a brief pretest to know how much the student alrady knows about the topic or how much they have learned from the reading assignments. I am planning to give brief nongraded pretest to understand the base knowledge my students are coming with.
Introductions are important to the learning environment as well as making a strong effort to learn the students names
it is important to go over the sylibus for the class on your first day.
Students need to have a sense of comfort if they are to learn successfully.
make a good first impression.
I like the idea of a pretest. I have never done that but I see that it could give the student an idea on how to study.
The importance of learning namesReply to Dena Brown's post: Reply to Tracy Brown's post:
The importance of learning the students name and using groups to help introduce themselve.
Engage the student through shared intellect, their hearts/passion for the subject, respecting but challenging in their intuition
I have learned another technique for helping to remembering students names and the importance of why we do what we do no matter how simple or insignificant it may feel. Putting yourself in the student's position helps to answer the why's... and that reinforaces my sense of duty. To inspire and be creative and not to go through the motions because I have to.
