Natalie,
Respect and rapport are two very important parts of teaching/learning success. The first day with the introductions and an ice breaker starts the process. From then on it is a building effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Introductions provides a brief background and life experiences of each student, including myself. This is a way of learning why each student is here and what they would like to learn from the course.
I find that taking the time to learn more about my students and them about me creates a more intimate learning enviornment that helps me to customize the real life applications of the material to suit their goals, interests and current level of understanding.
i think you're establishing a raport with the class by doing introductions. It lightens the mood, gives the students information about you as a person and as an instructor, and allows the students to tell you what they think is important for you to know about them.
You are accomplishing the first step in creating a relationship with the student. As an instructor you want them to ask questions, give feedback and participate in classroom discussions. The comfort level in the classroom will depict how responsive they are.
John,
This is a key point in terms of getting the course off to a good start. Students need to be able to feel comfortable in the class and look forward to being taught with an experienced professional educator. The more you can demonstrate your expertise and professionalism the more respect will come your way.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with the common thoughts of everyone. You are creating that trust between instructor and student. I too am a little uncomfortable talking about myself in class because it always feels a little boastful but I have to earn their trust and respect and this helps that process. When I'm teaching students for the first time they are sizing me up to see if I am worthy of being their instructor. If I can convince them that I am and that I have knowledge that they need but do not have then they are more likely to come to class and be successful in the course.
Tonya,
You are so right about ice breakers and the value they have in getting a course off to a good start. They help students to interact with and get to know other students while everyone including you the instructor gets to know each other a little better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Richard,
Right you are. Having a feeling of comfort with the instructor is important for students as they get settled into a new course. This starts the development of respect and rapport which are foundational to course success for both students and instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Introducing yourself to others and telling them a little about yourself is a good icebreaker. It allows your students to see you as a person instead of a machine. I learn frim student introductions, their names and faces, why they are choosing this career and some personal insights about them such as family, jobs, etc
Introducing yourself can help build a credible identity in a warm and personal manner. Students will feel more comfortable as learners when they eliminate the "stranger" aspects and fears of beginning a class with a new instructor. Equally important, inviting student introductions on the first class day, helps the instructor quickly learn student names,aa well as promoting a more personal caring atmosphere for student learning.
Introductions allow rapport building first, additionally it allows instructors to discover a bit more about the students. If the ice breaker chosen asks student to share about why they are pursuing this career it can assist instructor in connecting the course topics to them specifically. Introduction from the instructor set an opportunity to be seen as an authority/expert in the career field they are preparing for establishing a leadership role.
Christinia,
I like this time because I learn so much about my students. I am always amazed at what life experiences my students have had. This information helps me to get to know them as well know how to support them during the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Introducing yourself to the students and having the students introduce helps break the ice. It helps ease the anxiety level for the students. Having introduction on the first day helps the students and instructor learn about each other. The students have and idea what their instructor is like, and the instructor has an idea what type of student she has. Having introduction also provides how student will react to classroom participation.
John,
The more students know about you and you them the more common ground you can find upon which to build a learning relationship. Your method allows for the exchange of a lot of good information and as a result you all start to get comfortable with each other from the very first meeting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that introductions allow the students to learn something about the instructor and the introductions allow the instructor to learn a few things about the students he or she is teaching. Introductions are very important in my opinion for both the students and instructors. I always take a few minutes and let the students know about my training and background and I feel that this helps the students relate to me as an instructor and as a person. In hearing from the students, I am also learing some new information which I will try and use in teaching the course.
Shawn,
This is a fun ice breaker to do because you learn so much about the students as well as being a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In one particular course, I have the students play a game in which they must write 2 lies and 1 truth about themselves on the white board. I start off, of course.
I only do this in a specific course, and I don't think it would work as well in any of my others; but, I like it and it works quite well for introductions.
The students reveal things about themselves, which they decide upon, and it is a shared learning experience. Plus, they have to come up to the board. This puts us all on a level playing field.
This is a great ice breaker. It cultivates the communication in the classroom. Gives background to my roll as their educational facilitator. Gives the students perspective on me and their peers. The practice also relieves anxiety and builds trust.
Reinaldo,
Good way to reinforce what has been taught and set the stage for what is going to be taught. This way the students see the connection between classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
