By introducing yourself to students you are selling yourself to students as to why you are a creditable instructor for the course. There are many aspects to this, showing that you have knowledge in the course, that you are organized and know the material, that you are approachable during and out of class for additional information. Instructors can learn about students when they are introducing themselves. This is important so that instructors can find common ground with students. Students must have faith in your professional abilities plus know that you were once in their shoes and that you are able to relate to their fears.
I make sure that the students get the rules of fair play when they do their discussion boards. I instruct them to speak to others like they would like to be spoken to. It has worked very well thus far.
Very true. Many times I'm in the middle of our online chat (voice) and my cat or dog start getting into something. That is a handy break and usually gets the students talking. After a short break, I then get them back on track.
Also establishing a good rapport with the students goes a long way in building trust.
I fully agree with this approach. I learn about the students likes and fears. I can then adjust my approach to help meet their needs.
One thing to remember when you are meeting your students for the first time. We have students from all walks of life, we have students that are coming straight out of High School, they have limited work experience. But, we also have students who are changing careers. They have work experiences that we needs to acknowledge. We need to take the positives from all students and make it a Win Win situation for all students. We would be foolish to not tap into these resources, they may help all students better in their school experience.
Jerry,
Good way to get the students settled into a new course as well as getting to know you and their classmates. Once they are comfortable you then can start to lay out the course structure and requirements. This helps to reduce stress and nerves for everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By introducing myself to the students, I am establishing my credibility in the field. However, just presenting my academic and work experience does not let the class know me. Thus, I like to briefly tell them about my interest in literature, music, and science as well as something about my hobbies.
One other thing I do is very briefly inform my class about my military background, which amounts to just saying I was in the Army serving with a combat unit. I believe that the military students (i.e., those students who are currently serving in the military, those who have served, and their families) have special needs and I like to let them know that I have been there and done that. Thus far it has worked, especially with those students being deployed in the middle of the quarter. We try to work things out.
Following my introduction, which is short, I spend more time on getting the students to discuss where they are from, their education, interests and what they expect to get from the course.
I use introductions of myself to establish my leadership of the class they are taking and let them know who I am. I use their introductions to begin learning their names and make them feel more comfortable with their classmates.
Jerry
In a class with two or more cohorts, it's absolutely essential that introductions set the tone for not only what students can expect from me but how I expect them to interact with those in different cohorts. In a school like mine, a caste system develops, so I need to make all students feel that in my classroom, they are equals.
When I introduce myself to my students I demonstrate my enthusiasm for the material and that I am a human being. When the students introduce themselves it gives them a chance to demonstrate that they are part of the learning community that we are creating. It also gives me a chance to start practicing their names. The sooner that I can start accurately using the students names, the more likely they are going to feel part of the learning community.
Ezra,
Right on with your connection of student names and a key point that helps you remember their names right from the beginning of the course. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I make a concientious effort to ask each student their name as they enter our class room for the first time. In order to help me remember their names I usually add a comment that keeps their name fresh in my mind. These include comments like "I had a student last mod whose name was also Tiffany" or " Do you know the other Juanita that I just passed in the hall"? It's a little gimmick I picked up over the years. It helps me learn all my students names before the end of the first class. I have yet to encounter a student who didn't smile when I was able to say their name without any assistance. In doing so I have validated that student. I'm telling them that they're a real person that I'm very interested in. Additionally I'm telling them that what they have to say is important to me. It's a wonderful way to begin a student-teacher relationship which benefits both parties.
Renita,
This is a great way to introduce everyone to each other while getting them settled into the course. This is fun allows them to laugh some and get focused on what is going to occur in the coming class sessions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Many times I get students halfway through the program and they already know each other. I'm the new person that they have heard rumors about. I combine introductions with an ice breaker activity in which they have to give 1 true statement about themselves and 2 false statements. Many choose activities or things that they would like to do for the false statements. They are also not to give info that everyone already knows. I go first by introducing myself and the statements. Then they have to guess which is the real me. Afterward I call the next person by name and they have to start the process by saying their name again and so forth. This allows several things: 1) I hear a student's name a few times. 2)I associate the name and a unique characteristic/activity/place/thing with a face. 3)The students learn something new about each other and myself. 4)It lessens their fear of me. 5)We all see how different our backgrounds and interests can be even though we are pursuing the same field.
You accomplish breaking the ice. It allows you opportunity to cease the tension between the instructor and the students. As an instructor you are aware of the material that you are delivering but it sometimes can be hard when you are teaching to an audience that have never seen the material. So a great start can make the entire class go smoothly.
Establishing yourself as a professional in the subject area and establishing a positive atmosphere with students. Also, it gives the instructor an opportunity to get to know the students as well as give the students an opportunity to become comfortable with the instructor.
First impressions matter in education and life.
Creating a comfortable exchange between instructor and students creates a sense of community, belonging, and interest.
DP
I agree that this is a good time to show them that we value them. Particularly if they have experienced a recent job loss, showing them that we value what they did and look forward to helping them create a future, they are grateful. In fact, at these times we can often point to other anonymous cases of success that can lend hope.
Martha Moore
Martha,
By learning all you can about your students you are showing them the value you place on them and their success. This is an important ingredient in rapport development that shouldn't be overlooked.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
