Through introductions, I am allowing them an opportunity to bring in their experiences so I can know them better. Also, I am able to let them know my background and experience so that they have confidence that I can teach the class.
Best,
Martha Moore
I can point out ways that the content relates to them and helps them as we go along.
Martha Moore
By introducing myself I give the students knowledge of who I am both personally and professionally. I believe it is important for the students to know that the faculty member is a human being. I also think it is good for the students to catch a glimpse of you as a professional. Student introductions help the teacher to remember the students' names, help the students to feel comfortable with each other and the teacher, and facilitate forming a cohort of students who will work together during the course. The introductions also help the student to relax if they are apprehensive about a new class, new teacher and new peers.
Sara,
Great ideas for improving your teaching skills while keeping your pulse on the class. Thanks for sharing this idea with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel the same way. On day 1 of a new class, I introduce myself, tell a little of my background, and then ask the students to do the same. I find it to be a great ice-breaker, and it also gives the students information about one another.
The students learn more about me and my background, and why I am qualified to teach them (education, experience, etc.) and therefore it legitamizes my role as a teacher. I am young, and have to teach a lot of people who are much older than me so this establishes respect. Also, I love to learn from the students what they ultimately plan to do with their degree and it helps them visualize getting to the end.
letting the students get an idea of who I am and make them understand, I am their instructor, but I am friendly, but I hand out rules and go over each one, to make them understand -there is a time for fun and a time for learning. I also make them introduce themselves and tell me a little about them.. I also add a little joke and ask them if they know how to cook, because I like to eat.. shows them I can have a good time and they can relax, but there is still work to be done!
I accomplish so many things that assist me the 1st day, week, and entire term. I have only taught on my own with out an instructor training or observing me for half of 1 term now. I began my first day by passing out note cards that have titled questions for name, nickname, persued degree area/field, something unique or intersesting they would like to share, their expectations for the course and their scaled baseline knowledge of the course subject 0-10. On the back of each card is an area for hard copies of grades to backup the computerrized gradebook system. I have them turn these cards in after reading them aloud, I also use the same criteria so to speak for my own introduction with a little more detail in the degree, expertise area. This is a great way to break the ice and begin remembering students individually. I use these cards on a daily basis for grading and attendance. At the end of the course I plan to do a review of the cards as an activity to reflect on where we started and where we ended up through the course. Hopefully they all will have a higher scale of knowledge compared to the first day, fingers crossed this plan works as I hope.
It's important to know the students strengths and weeknesses. Those that are strong in some area may be helpful with group activities. Introductions help to make a bond and may lead to a greater attention span/interest for the students.
By introducing oneself, the instructor, "establishes their position as a classroom leader" as stated in section 5 of module 3. Furthermore, it makes the students aware of your qualifications, your expectations, and your accessibility. With both introductions of the students and the instructor, the students are put at ease and made more comfortable. They learn about their instructor and their fellow learners.
The introductions cover several areas in the relationship between instructor and students: (1) Opportunity for instructor to demonstrate his/her qualifications and experience on the subject matter--expertize; (2)presents climate to learn about the students' general background and origins, including culture; offers opportunities for instructor/student connections through commonalities etc. An instructor can always find commonalities between her/himself and every student by thinking creatively!
I find that by introducing myself and meeting the students, and listening to their introductions carefully, I get a lot of insight into who they are and what their expectations of the course may be. This can have a big impact on how I structure my lecture content going forward.
By having a "meet & greet" ice breaker on the first day, paves the way for a mutual understanding of each other. With adult students, it gives me as the instructor the opportunity to tap into the knowledge and expertise of my students and allow them to share their skills with everyone else.
By introducing myself and giving my background, I help the students to see me as a person. That helps them to potentially see themselves in my position sometime in the future, or at least to see me as a colleague. By introducing the students to each other and to me, we are creating rapport and forming a partnership that will help them get through the more difficult aspects of their education.
Through introductions of both myself and my students I am able to develop a rapport with them. I like to tell my students about both my educational and professional background - it conveys to them that I am an expert in my field and clearly understand the materials that I will be teaching them.
J J,
Good point. Respect and rapport are the two R's that need to be in every class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It sets the tone for the class. It creates a rapore with the students that you are human and are interested in them
Nancy,
I use something similar to this in my classes with the same great results you are achieving with your students. They really get to know each other and get settled into the class from the very beginning. I like the way you introduce yourself and bring the human factor in as the instructor. This really sets the stage for the upcoming course sessions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In my opinoin, introducing myself to students on the first day lets them know that I am "human." I have walked in their shoes, sitting in an unfamiliar classroom on the first day wondering "what have I done?" By giving a brief background of my education and experience, it assures the students know that I have the knowledge and experience to be their instructor. I also like to share a few things about myself and famil--wife, mother of three girls, grandmother. Some students may be able to relate to me having the same environment. I like for students to "Meet and Greet" each other by allowing a few minutes to partner up with an unfamiliar classmate and sharing information. Then, the partner introduces their "new" classmate to the class. If students indicate what city they live in, it may help to share rides, etc. It helps me to remember their names by associating something in their introduction with their name. I always challenge myself on the first day to repeat outlout to the students, their first name--they seem very impressed!
Richard,
All of these introductions are critical in my opinion to getting a course off to a good start. They help everyone to get to know each other while helping them to settle into the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
