Setting the tone
Along with outlining the course objectives, the instructor should set the "tone" of the course on the first day. This lets the student know your expectations, both acedemically and behaviorally.
first day sets the tone. if not done right it is all down hill from there,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I do plan to share this information with my students. It could make for a good discussion as I get to know them.
Hi Mable,
I commend you for being both an instructor and student. This is something that many of our own students can't imagine. That being, we teachers want to continue to learn and grow in addition to teaching.
Also, I think by you being a student you will focus on how you can improve your own instruction by observing the kinds of teaching you are experiencing and seeing occur around you.
Gary
Hi Elizabeth,
An instructor of merit needs to have had extensive experience in the content being taught, either through direct "hands on" or through study. Some theory courses enable instructors to acquire the content through study and the skill courses through experience.
This same instructor needs to develop competence in the areas of student relationships and class management. Student relationships means that the instructor has earned the respect of the students and has established rapport with them. The students know that the instructor cares about them and their success.
I have found that if I solicit feedback from my students on a regular basis I am able to keep my finger on the pulse of the class and can make changes in the course to reflect the needs of the current students. This feedback solicitation also shows the students that I really value their input. Another major factor in the students seeing me as a caring approachable instructor.
I wish you much success in your professional educator career. I know you are going to really enjoy being a part of the profession.
Gary
I would agree based on my current experience as a student also. I decided to start taking a foreign language course last semester . It was a very positive experience to be able to approach the instructor for assistance.This upcoming semester, I will continue as a student in the foreign language course as well as be an instructor within my profession. This should all be a very interesting experience .
I agree that the students want to believe the instructor is "human" and not a monster or someone who wants them to fail. When I was in college I always told myself that a teacher is just "an old student" and hopefully remembers what it was like for them to be a student. I feel this is so important in making the students feel comfortable with the instructor from the first day and to make them believe their instructor is approachable and wants them to succeed. Do any of you out there agree with this concept?
Making the students believe that the instructor is "human" will prove to be invaluable in keeping their attention. If they believe the instructor is alouf, you will loose them!
I have found that if I treat my students like the adults they are, they act like adults. The last thing students want is to sit in a class with an instructor that acts like a drill instructor from the Marine Corp.
I agree with this, if you become the manager on the first day then the students will always respect that, then you can ease up if need be later during the course.
I couldn't agree more. I have only been an instructor for about 8 months and learned very quickly that if the proper tone is not set the first day, it is quite easy to "get run over" by the students before the class is finished.
I have had much better success in being very firm and direct on the first day, then if the class allows, relaxing a bit on certain standards. It is much easier to ease up a bit than to try and "clamp down" once things are getting out of control.
This was probable the quickest and most humbling lesson I have learned (so far that is).
i completly agree on this matter.setting the tone the first day sets how the rest of the class time is going to be
I agree with this. The first day of each class I teach, I make sure to set their expectations on what will be covered in the course, how they will be graded, how they are to conduct themself in class, and what they can expect out of me as an instructor.
