By introducing myself I am establishing my credentials and helping to put the students at ease. Having the students introduce themselves helps further relax the students as well as helping me as the instructor to learn their names and potentially get a feel for who they are and therefore what teaching strategies I might wish to employ.
By the students introducing themselves and telling something about themselves,I have noticed the students become more comfortable.
When I introduce myself and how many years I have been in the field, I usually end up telling funny stories of when I first started out in my profession. It seems to relax the students knowing that I have been in there shoes.
Introductions can lead to new friends and study groups. Instructions can find things in common with each other. Instructors can use information from introduction in lectors to make them more personal and connect them to the students.
I think it is important to get a good grasp on the background of your students in order to establish a good baseline understanding of where your class is starting out with regards to the subject matter covered. The introduction phase is a great opportunity to gather this information from your class.
I introduce myself first and talk about something that makes me happy and comfortable; It puts myself and the students in a comfort zone. Afterwards the students begin to talk about themselves and about something that is positive in their lives or their goals. The students are already uptight and nervous about starting a new class and meeting a new instructor and classmates for the first time. It is natural for someones to feel relaxed and open minded once they talk about something they like or a positive goal. Once introductions are over we are ready to begin a class with a positive and lighten atmosphere.
Student come to class for the first time with concerns about suceeding and wondering if the instructor understands their need to succeed. The instructor, on the other hand, does not know what baggage the individual students bring to class and if they will make teaching an easy task. Introductions set the grounds for coming interactions. With introductions the students get to see the instructor as, hopefully, one who cares for them and will make them succeed. The instructor gets to know the students and decides on what method of teaching will be most effective, given individual student expectations.
Students come from different universities to take required courses at the community college that I also teach in. I ask the students to tell us about their major and University. Since most of the students are going for engineering courses, I can stress the importance of the physics course (that I am teaching) for their careers. The others students also get to know the academic diversity of students around them.
Then during the semester, I stress that the current topic would be of particular interest to which particular field of engineering.
it breaks down the ice, reduce their anxiety, create good impressions and get to know each other well.
Introductions put students at eaze the first day and they also can meet some one new that may have something in common with them such as major, single parent, kids, educational and social backgrounds.
By introducing yourself, you are validating your credentials for teaching the course content. The students should leave feeling that you are competent in the subject matter. By sharing a little information about yourself, you are also personalizing yourself, and the students can find points of common interest - puts some humanity to the face.
Getting to know each other and the reasons they are in the program they've chosen and I reveal why I am in the field (area) that I am in. Where each is from, what type of histories and learning concentrations they've had. as well as the age variation in the students, it has become a history class in some ways.
I agree- teacing adults certainly requires a different kind of rapport than with elementary students. These students have been bosses, managers and have life experience from so many places. Letting them share adds to much more to a class than I could on my own.
The students get to find out who I am and how I got to where I am-standing in front of them. I find it also helps them to see me as a person when I share things like where I went to school, my dogs name/pic, I like to exercise, etc. I've been teaching a intro class that helps new students be successful in school and when the students get to introduce themselves, not only do I get the benefits of learning their names/faces, who they are, why they are here, the students get to start making connections and form relationships with their classmates and start a bond.
Mark,
I use this method as well with my adult students. They like to share their life experiences as you know which helps build their confidence since many of them may not have been in school for a long time.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
You are establishing a rapport with the students. This also starts, and touches all three areas of, modeling, managing, and motivating. And as I teach adults who normally bring a great deal of experience to the classroom, and I consider myself as a leader in a guided discussion when I teach rather than just a lecturer, I like to use my students' experience as a learning tool for everyone, including myself.
Makia,
Good way to start a new class. Through your introduction and sharing efforts you are showing your students that you care about their success, that you are a human being with an interesting background and that you are going to share your expertise with them. This is very comforting for them to know from the very first class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
On the first day of class, I have my students introduce themselves first. I (initially) 'briefly' introduce myself and share the name of the course---to make sure everyone is in the right class.
For the introductions, I have the students' do the following: (1)state their names; (2) how long they have been at the institution; (3) anticipated graduation date; (4) name of program; and (5) state one or two things they would like to learn in the course.
Afterward, I introduce myself to the class and provide a few background experiences. My students are often intrigued when I express I am from Miami, FL. Normally, they ask questions about the area and the reasons I decided to move to Raleigh, NC. :-)
Overall, the responses (from my students) provide me a better understanding of each student and how I should proceed with the class. I have experienced that if I show myself as a person who is honest, has integrity, and care about my students, they respond in a more positive manner.
Anton,
This type of sharing I believe is important in giving your students the total picture of your commitment to your field. Knowing that your field is also a major part of your personal life demonstrates passion that you are hoping the students will catch as they study. Keep up the sharing.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By doing a round table discussion of who we are and where we have been - both the instructor - is beneficial to all involved.
As the instructor, he helps me to learn the students names. Also getting to know a little about them, helps me to know how to best reach that student, their learning styles and head off possible problems before they happen.
From a student's standpoint, it helps them get to know me as a person instead of just an authority figure. It lets them know I have been where they now are and in a manner of speaking places a light at the end of the tunnel for them to know the goal is obtainable.
I like to spend a little time introducing myself to my students by telling them about my educational and professional background. I took a non-traditional path in my career and one benefit to my introduction is to show students some options they have when they graduate that they may not be aware of. Discussing my education background also lets them see me as a student, not just an instructor. I've been where they are, and I still remember a lot of the struggles.
I also like to have the students tell a little about themselves, especially as it relates to the field they are hoping to enter. This gives me a little insight as to their hopes and goals as they complete their course of study and also helps them to relate to other students who have similar interests.
