Hi Tammy,
You may want to check with your seasoned instructors sometimes they have great activities.
Patricia
Hi Amy,
What icebreakers do you typically utilize? I have found that icebreakers reduce instructors and students anxiety.
Patricia
I am a firm believer in "ice breakers". These can be a lot of fun and can really set the class in the right direction.
I like have a plan for activities as well and I and my students enjoy completing the activities. However, I sometimes have trouble coming up with activities for certain subjects. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find activity ideas? I have found a few online just by doing a Google search but if anyone knows of any good websites I would appreciate the info.
Thank you and have a great day!
Having an activity checklist with an approximate time needed to complete each activity provides a feeling of security for the instructor.
Having one or two additional activities is also a good idea so that if the activities of the class run short, the instructor has a backup plan to enhance instruction and fill the class period.
Hi David,
I have found that the warm up activity is great for the students and the instructors. There are some students who have anxiety as well. Warm up activities really ease tension.
Patricia
I always try to do a warm up activity. It is always subject related. I teach automotive technoligy and can often find new material in the news about new cars coming out and the new systems that they will be seeing as a result. When that is not possible we can always discuss car from the past and then look for a good segway into the day's lesson.
Using the personal stories really does work. I work in the legal profession and my students love when I can give them real world stories about how things really go versus just how the book says it will or should go. I feel that using personal stories adds more content to your class and gives the students a "peek" into what they will really be doing.
Hi Tammy,
Being prepared is certainly key to reducing instructor anxiety. I like to over prepare by having two days worth of work ready for a given day. Knowing that you are prepared gives you a sense of confidence as well.
Patricia
I find that taking several big, deep breaths really calms any nervousness that I might have. Being adequately prepared (or overprepared) is key to reducing performance-related stress, as well.
Hi Alonzo,
It is important to share your background and experience with students. You feel a great sense of accomplishment sharing these things, and at the same time you impress students.
Patricia
Hi Mitchell,
Absolutely! I love the phrase...it is very encouraging!
Patricia
I simply go over the material several times. I actually try, in my mind, to make mistakes and trouble shoot how and what will be the best result for solving or eliminating the mistakes. I always mremember the phrase, I know more than they do.. and it calms me down when I get those jitters.
give my breakground and experience in area I will be teaching -- ask students what if any experience they have had working along with their name
make sure you know subject matter so that you can pass on info to your students
one way I reduce class room jitters is to make sure i have answered all review questions and have identified pages where the answers are found to review with my students
Hi John,
You can give an introduction of yourself first and then have each student introduce themselves. Also, you can have students pair up and find out two to three interesting things about their partner and have each partner introduce each other. Some instructors also enjoy telling jokes. After doing the icebreaker let students know you are going to now go over the syllabus.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Games are a sure way to make people feel at ease. I like the idea, you get to learn about each other.
Patricia
During our student orientation, we play bingo.
Students mingle with other students and faculty obtaining initials next to each question that reflects someone they meet, they are allowed to aks one question of each person and move on to meet others. Easy questions like, someone wearing red, do you drive a sports car, etc. The first 3 to shout bingo are the winners.
Ice breakers for the first day of class always seems to be a difficult thing. Do you have any suggestions for the first intial greeting and how to move forward from that conversation into getting eveyone involved in the class?
Hi Patricia,
It has been proven that if you talk about something you are comfortable with, you are not nearly as nervous. Students want to and need to hear about our professional experience as they apply to the lesson.
Patricia
