First day introductions and ice breaking exercise
I have found first day is always an anxious time for both instructors and students. I always try to get the students to loosen up by introducing myself a bit and my history as a design instructor and why I became an architect. Then I ask them to introduce themselves and ask why do they want to study architecture? Many students have common backgrounds or motive and stories on how they got to the class and this helps establish a common ground between all of us as we are all on the same journey and I am their guide more than their instructor. I then ask for a volunteer to draw a specific object on the white board we then discuss as the idea of the object in terms of design qualities (not drawing abilities of the student). The student then hand the marker off to another volunteer who then modifies (or draws a new object) from all the input that was received in the dialogue. This gets the class not only speaking but also thinking critically about the issues we will be discussing throughout the semester.
I start off by introducing myself and a little background about myself and working experience. Because I teach at a school that has "open enrollment" so I always have older students in class as well, so I have them introduce themselves and offer a piece of advice for the new students to be successful in school. Then I have the new students introduce themselves to us, and also what is their motivation for being in school. It helps to learn all the names, break the ice between the new and older studnets, and also give me some insight as to what motivates my students to come to class daily.
I like all of these game suggestions, too. I always do a little ice breaker, but I never considered doing a game. I'll have to give that some thought.
I really love all of these suggestions! I am the wine professor. I can assign viniculture terms to the students. Great ideas. Thank you.
Alexander,
I really like that idea to get things started! Now I just have to figure out how to apply it to pharmacology and physiology! Thanks for the tip.
Diane Scott, DVM
Hi Candice,
This is a great way to get a class off to a good start plus think of all the medical terminology the students learn as they are learning each others names. Thanks for sharing with us.
Gary
I use this too! I just use it a little different. I teach in the medical field so I have them use a medical word starting with the same letter and their first name (ex. "Pulmonary Paula"). My students love it and the names usually stick with them for the remainder of their program!
Hi Joel,
Try a game approach. I know you and your students are going to like participating in the activities that goes with the game. Shows the students learning can be fun.
Gary
Your breaking the ice exercise sounds very successful. I have been thinking of doing something similar, along the lines of a game show to introduce the design software I am teaching.
Hi Earl,
Thank you for sharing this name learning/ice breaker with us. Sounds like it is a lot of fun and valuable to the students because it gets them familiar with their cohorts quickly. This is going to be of help to other instructors.
Gary
When I am the instructor of a new cohort that is just entering the school I like to play the name game. The first student introduces himself by preceding his/her first name with and adjective like "Mad Max". The second student repeats the the process only he must introduce the first student using the adjective. it continues the third person must introduce self and the other two with the adjective. It gets fun when the last person in the class has to do all the names. Not only does this help the students know who their classmatres are, but it also helps me. Sometimes the student carries the nickname, i.e Mad Max through the entire course. I actually had a student named Dan who introduced himself as Dellicious Dan. Needless to say that one stuck with him!
Hi Devon,
Right you are about the need to establish the learning environment as being comfortable and supportive. Once students realize that it is they will start to open up and become a part of the learning process.
Gary
Getting the class participating early, as in the very first class is terrific. Even small participation can greatly help bring out those shy or normally unwilling to speak up. Bringing all students into the discussion/interaction shows students it is a "safe environment" to learn and will greatly enhance classroom activity.
Devon MacGregor
Hi Alexander,
What a great way to set the tone for the first day. You have interaction, activities, and learning all occurring in the first class meeting. This really sets the students up for success if they are willing to put forth the effort in the coming weeks. Great job!
Gary
