meeting class
How hard is it to overcome bad first impressions?
Hi Kyle,
These strategies will help to set your students at ease and get them to focus on how you are going to conduct the class and what you are going to require of them.
Gary
I always use alot of humor to break the ice. I agree first impressions leave a standing impression. Just be yourself and be open for many questions.
When I meet students for the first time, it is important to get the point accross that I am qualified both in education and experiance to be in front of them. The dangerous thing is that too much of this can either bore them to death or get them scared that I will be talking over my head to them becasue of my level of knowledge. You need to keep it fun and light while establishing credability. Ice breakers are a great way to accomplish that.
Really hard. In our school it may also spread to additional classes so they come to your class expecting the worst.
So true, letting your class know about not only your sucesses in the past but also your failures I think is esential so students can understand whats is in futher and how what they will be able to aviod some of the pit falls along the way.
Its just about sharing a some of your expirience, they enjoy that
How you introduce yourself and talk about your background is important in connecting with your students. Try to be relaxed, informal, and even humorous at times. Perhaps ask along the way if any of them have had similar experiences.
Hi Deborah,
There are many different aspects of how the first bad impression was made and that in many cases determines how you approach the next class meeting. Regardless of the first impression an instructor needs to come to the next class prepared with both content and class management skills. Use an ice breaker to get the students working in groups, use an exercise where the students get to see the value of the upcoming course, learn something about the students and work to establish rapport with them. Don't dwell on the problem that occurred. Be forwarded focused on what is to come along with being motivated about what you are doing. Be excited about being a teacher. It won't be long before your students will be settled into the course and will have forgotten about the first meeting situation.
Gary
