Get Your Students Hired
On the first day, after covering the syllabus, I try to talk to each student. We place our seats in a circle and I ask each them where they are from and what their aspirations are in this field. I think it promotes a positive environment and it's a great ice-breaker for the students.
Sharon,
With fun introductions and an ice breaker you will be setting the stage for a positive first impression and a solid foundation for an engaging course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sounds like a great idea. As a new instructor I am looking for good ideas for the first interactions I have with my students.
Laura,
With this number of students and such a short time for the course you are going to be challenged but by being early to class and chatting with them informally during breaks you I know you will be able to accomplish your goal of making a connection with the students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I will spend a few minutes trying to get to know over 30 students for a very short time of classes as we are an accelerated program. There is a lot of information that I need to present to the students and make sure they understand the concepts before they take boards.
Elaine,
I am with you on the first day. It is so much fun to meet and learn about my new group of students. The ice breakers and introductions enable us to share some laughs and get settled into the course. This is the foundation upon which I like to build my course as we start the informational sharing process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. The first day is probably my favorite day. It is always fun - and extremely useful - to learn about the new students' backgrounds and expectations, and also see some familiar faces and reflect on past classes as well. I like to show off my sense of humor especially on day one but also appear professional and prepared, and make them all feel welcome and motivated.
Dave,
Sounds like a lot of fun as well as informative for you and your students. I take a similar approach as I want to get my students comfortable and settled in as we start the course. Your questions give them something to share as well as helps them see how they can contribute to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donna,
Fun and informative way to get the class off to a good start as well as helping everyone to get to know each other in an informal way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Introductions the first class are HUGE. Students may feel uncomfortable with people they don't know, the environment, and YOU... the instructor. Each semester, I routinely ask each student to:
1. Introduce themselves
2. Where did they grow up/attend high school
3. There hobbies
4. What do they know about the course
5. What do they want to obtain from the course.
I interact with comments as they speak.... i.e. I like your HS mascot, or I enjoy that hobby too, or when they mention what they like to obtain from the class, I ramp-it-up with "Yes, we will be installing motherboards in this class."
Always have the first day be laid back and getting to know each other is important. We do ice breakers and fun activities to promote this.
James,
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. It is a good reminder that we need to learn all we can about our students as we strive to get them engaged in the class and become part of the learning community.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I learned how important inital student discussion can be, as my group this semester was not too warm to the idea the first day. I moved on, thinking that we would get into their backgrounds as the semester continued. Well the students really have not opened-up or at least been specific about what they are looking for from the class and some of them seem disinterested.
I will mske sure I am more persistent with this next semester.
John,
An introduction strategy like this helps to get everyone settled into the course and learning more about their classmates. This sets up a comfortable class environment upon which you can build mutual respect and rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.