I introduce myself, my experience, and some of my life experiences as a student and in my current field.I don't like for my students to feel intimidated.
It establishes your expertise in the field they are attended school for. It also establishes authority.
Learning from Instructor and students is time to communicate how the teacher can help the students reach it goal. It be accomplished by being clear and specific how this class can help them and what they expect from an Instuctor.
Mutual introductions is an opportunity to set the tone to develop a unique relationship between teacher and students. I always use it to study the personality of the students and use it to define myself the scope of my boundaries.
Gina,
Good way to start a new course and getting everyone talking with each other as well as learning why they are enrolled in school.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Kimberly,
This is a great way to get everyone comfortable and settled into the course as well as creating the foundation for respect between and among them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Letting your students get to know you...gives them an idea of your expertise in the subject.
Introductions of myself establishes me as the leader of the course. I am also informing my students of my background and experience to be able to teach them with the needed knowledge for the course. And by allowing student introductions, I can bond closer with students by getting to know more personal reasons for their taking the course.
We have a lot of diversity in our student population. I learn so much from them during this segment when they talk about what motivated them to do our program. We require a BS degree coming in, so the majority of the students are making a career change. I try to share the diversity of my own background and that I found a "home" in my current profession. It also is reassuring to my older population that I too didn't enter this career until midlife. For my gen X'ers, I explain my regret for finding for current profession so late and try to show them the multiple paths they can take once they finish the program. It is a win-win in that I now know what motivated them to choose this field and they see me as someone who once walked in their shoes.
Establishing a basis for better understanding.
Carl,
Good point and one instructors need to strive to implement. Once the students see you as a supporter of their learning and a partner in the process then they become engaged at a much higher level.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students begin to view you as a partner in their education and not as an adversary. They become more at easy, relax more and enjoy the classroom time.
Michele,
I think this is a great way to see student progress. Seeing and teaching them again after 9 months has to be rewarding in that you get to see their growth while they get to enjoy your teaching once again at a much higher level of confidence and knowledge.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
During introductions students get to know the instructor as well as the instructor becoming familiar with the students. Students see the instructor as an expert in the field. Student anxiety is also reduced.
Our program is also designed so that classes progress through the program.It is a 14 month program. I teach a class in the first module and then re-meet them in their last module 9 months later. I find it helpful and insightful to have them reflect on their growth in the program when we start off the last module. It helps me to get reintroduced to each of them and to expand my knowledge on who each of those students have become. It also is good for the students to reflect on themselves.
It helps establish a working relationship with the students. It is a helpful way to share your experiences and expectations in a relaxed professional setting. This will also allow you to be more aware of your students lives, goals, strengths and weaknesses.
I think the importantance of Instructor and student introductions is like a tripod. The students are first more comfortable conneting with the professor, and the professor makes connections withthe students. Finally the students are able to better connect with their peers. This allows for better networks between students and a better exchange of ideas in the class room.
You are building a rapport. Learning names, and establishing your authority as the instructor.
You are introducing yourself, telling a little about yourself and you are also getting to know your students. I think by doing this you are helping them relax a little before really getting started.
To get to know each other, I learn their names, how they pronounce. They learn a little bit about me and how much experience I have in the field, my expectation from them and what I want them to learn in my class.
