Student Rapport- First Day of Class
In my experience, I've found that playing music the first day of class is really helpful for setting the mood for my courses. I usually select something upbeat or interesting. For example, I had a dance mix of Latin and African sounds that was really fun. A lot of students were intrigued to find this playing in the classroom and it opened the door to many conversations.
Building rapport on day one is critical, so choosing a great ice-breaker is helpful as well. I really enjoy doing two truths and a lie...although with some of my students I've noticed they share inappropriate things (i.e. I've been in prison for 20 years) so depending on your audience it may not be wise.
What are some other ways you build rapport on the first day?
Hi Siobhan,
This is a great ice breaker that helps the students get to know each other and have fun as well. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
I have a handout of 10 questions for them to complete and then I read them out to the class and get them to try and guess which student I am talking about. I ask questions such as "the best place I have ever visited", "my favorite food", "my proudest achievement to date", etc. It is a way to get to know the students - and it's fun!
Introduce and share
I like to have the students tell a little background information about themselves. also why they chose Dental assising as their career.
Music, great idea.
Diana
I agree. It is imparative to set the tone the first day of class. A good rapport is vital.
I like that idea of Bingo done that way. We play bingo but ususally in one of our classes with Medical Terminology and word parts. the first day Bingo game sounds good and exciting. I can see students getting involved and really enjoying that.
Meet and greet.
What we do is get all of the students together on the first day old with new. Serve punch and cookies (something simple).
have students at various stages in thier career training to come forward and share thier expereince. Allow everyone to introduce themselves and if they want to share something about themselves they can do so.
We also play music and play a game
I agree completely that rapport begins on the first day! I like to use the favorite movie as the icebreaker. I usually give the students a few days to get to know each other through conversation etc. Then I will hand out 3X5 cards and ask each student to write down their favorite movie (which tells alot about an individual). I then read off the movie names and the students guess the appropriate match for each choice. If the students can't guess then the individual explains what they like about the movie!!
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. Instructors are always on the lookout for ways to help them learn student names, select icebreakers, and expand their delivery options. This is a tool they can put to good use.
Gary
I use what I call the name game.. I got this from a workshop we did at the faculty level, and just passed it down to my students.
Essentially each person will eventually say their name, but before they do, they have to come up with an adjective for themselves that starts with the same letter their name starts with.
So for me, I would be Super Shawn.
The key to this though (and it also helps me learn names really fast) is that unlike the faculty version, the only one that has to repeat each name, is myself. So after each student says their name (and I usually have them add in something about themselves and why they are here) I will repeat their name and everyone else that has said their name.
It can be a time intensive exercise, but it really does help with retention of names and building a bond with students. I also put them on the spot and offer extra credit to the class if one person can come up and remember everyone's name (with 2 mistakes). It usually gives the class a hero right from the start.
I also agree that rapport starts on the first day of class. A sense of respect, understanding, & trust should established. I have done a variety of first day icebreakers. One that many students are receptive too is a BINGO game. I will place various statements in the boxes such as I drive a hybrid, I love liver, I have traveled to a different country, I am scared of snakes, I have ran a marathon, for example. Students will learn fun & interesting things about their classmates that they have never known before. I will give a prize to the student that fills the entire bingo board. Then I will pass along the bag of treats to the entire class for participating.
The music idea is great! I think something to set your class apart or let them know what they can be excited about will help their motivation.
Jennifer
Hi Nicole,
You can have students interview each other. Then have the other student introduce the person they interviewed and share 3 things they learned about that person. This really helps get the students talking with each other. You can walk around during this time an chat a few seconds with the students and these informal contacts will start the rapport development process.
Gary
