Cindy--
Absolutely true! Having that personal interaction with faculty is always important, but defintely the first week. This is when they are still deciding if they made the right choice.
Susan
Jan--
I really like the idea of the faculty person making an introductory video, it must help immensely to have this personal glimpse.
Susan
Reggie--
Sounds like a good format. I especially like that you get to know at least one personalized fact about each student. Great job!
Susan
Meeting and communicating with instructors the first week of activities is important to help students become more connected to our college. Making sure they have their materials and information to help them get started in their classes is also crucial.
I have taught a class at my college during the first semester that the students are here. I tried to be understanding to the lifestyle change that a career college implies, especially for adult learners coming back to school after years or sometimes decades. I would reassure them that they will get used to the schedule while at the same time trying to reinforce the importance of making changes to their personal schedules in order to increase chances of academic success in the program.
This would work in non-culinary environments as well, sharing recipes or discussing favorite foods. I used to have a "food day" each week when I taught geography and it gave us the opportunity to connect foods with different states or countries.
This is an excellent point, Jerry! I try to stay as positive with my students as possible and encourage them to communicate with me. It does seem to make a difference.
This is a great idea! It would work well for an online discussion forum as well. I'll have to try it!
Since I teach online, our first week is a bit different than the regular classroom. I created a brief "Welcome" video so my students can see and hear what I look and sound like, and so far this term I have had good results. We normally have students introduce themselves in the discussion area so they can get to know each other. Some have been in classes with each other before, but if not, they will often comment on each other's major or personal interests/hobbies to make a connection. I make it a point to acknowledge each person's posting and try to connect with them by sharing something we may have in common.
On the first day of the course, I have each student to stand and tell the class his name, where he is from, how many courses he has completed, and his aspirations & plans. I have noted that the students start to relax and open dialog with one another after this exercise.
Within the first few days of the course, I take them to lab and go through some tasks with them, this helps them to get familiar with their lab team and working as a team, they don't feel isolated. Also, they realize it is important to attend the first day and every day or they will miss something important.
I think once the students get to know the their teachers and they are able to start building a rapport with their teachers. This helps them to feel connected to the college. This is why at orientation I think it is critical that all new students have a time of interaction with their instructors/teachers.
There are a few things I do during the first week that help in this department:
1. I try to get to know at least one important things about each f my students.
2. I tend to do a lot of group activities during the first week in order to build a sense of community.
3. I definitely call student who miss class during the first week.
The first week is very crucial for the students to feel comfortable and positive about the new challenge they are about to undertake.What I try to do is create a relaxed and informalenviroment so that the students feel at home,and are not afraid to speak out if they are not happy about something.
I give them an introduction of myself, where I discuss how the subject I teach has helped my career. I also let them introduce themselves,and have them explain why they enrolled and what they expect from the shcool.
With a good intrudution of my self since I am a graduated from the same school, I let them know that they can do it to and this way I bring up there confident.
I feel it is important to build upon the orientation the student received from the enrollment process.
Vivian--
Sounds great! Food is always a wonderful ice breaker and having faculty available in an informal setting is wonderful.
Susan
Mohan--
Spreading out orientation information (or reminders) over the entire first week is a great way to reinforce the rules and support systems available.
Susan
First or all give them the time to introduce themselves something about their backgorund, reasons of enrolling, what they expect about the school and the topic.
Also it would be great to have a food or snack meeting and using this time for a verbal survey or issue, concerns, questions they may have.
All this examples help to break the ice.
I have found that if i give students real life applications to what I am teaching and what they will be learning during the first week they tend to stay more enthusiastic thrioughout the the next thrre weeks.
