Classroom Environment
It is so important to put students at ease during class so that they are more open to learning
I am the same way. The first night of class, I tell my students who I am, where I work, how I came to be in the field I am in. I also have my students tell me about themselves as well.
I use their stories to help me remember their names. It is always a great night of class. :)
On the first day of class, I always have the students tell a little bit about themselves, their background, and one thing we would never guess about them. Since we are a career college, I always tell about myself, my career, and how I ended up in teaching. I let them know that all of my staff (I'm the director) are currently working in the field and teach part-time. Since we all are still very connected to the professionals in our field we invite those individuals into the classroom to speak to the students. We generally finish with a Q & A session.
Katherine,
Your class sounds like it is engaging, informative and fun. This is what teaching should be about in that learners can see the value of the content and make application of it to their lives.
Gary
So true but the whole school environment has to give them the feeling that they belong. Respect is a big part of helping students come back. I have found that the first day of class we spend discussing what they expect of me also. All students receive the syllabus , dress codes ,attendance policies but what am I going to learn here and how is what they want to know. We do a few get to know you things first, a little team building.That starts to get them to feel they can open up. I have a PPT presentation about myself , to introduce myself . I have fun slides that explain how I got here and then what I can do for them. Also, at the end of each class, I ask them to write down 1 thing they learned that day and 1 thing I could improve.We have quite good conversations in the classromm no matter what course I have.
Sara,
So true. What are some methods you have used to get your students settled into the course? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
