Hi Parthenia,
As a new instructor I know you are planning your instructional deliveries so you can have a dynamic impact on your students. What are some ways you are using to get your classes off to a good start?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Gary
All instructors want their students to feel comfortable, to display honor and consideration and behave respectably. When a student walks into a college class, that student wants to see his or her instructor, greet them and have an exchange, albeit brief, in order to establish a comfort level. As an instructor, I want my students to see my smile, my personable and engaging demeanor, and my welcoming stance. I know when my instructors display these demeanors when I arrive in my Master's classes, I feel very good about what is coming next, and look forward to the evening's discussions.
The class will get off to a good start and everyone will be more focused on the outcomes of the class.
Giving off a good first impression is ideal for your students on the first day. This reassures your students on what to expect from you andthe course. It makes them feel like you know what your doing and that your well trained to teach them.
I teach English Comp, so making a positive first impression is especially important. For one, many people do not like--or actually have a fear of--English classes. Also, these students are usually in their very first quarter/semester and are nervous about the whole thing. A positive impression on the first day of any class can set the stage for success not only in the course itself but also in their whole college career. Students need to feel comfortable in the class and feel that they are doing the right thing, both in the immediate sense as well as in their larger goals. They need to know that the instructor is a professional who knows his/her stuff, but is also someone who cares about them and is accessible. It is also important that they see themselves as a valid part of the group and feel that even though everyone comes from different experiences, they are on par with their peers. Small successes in one class--any class--help students gain confidence in themselves and in the process, and give them the motivation to branch out and immerse themselves in their learning experience.
Thanks for your comments. I will definitely try and utilize a different approach this Thursday, my first class.
Jackie
that first impression can and will set the tone for the whole class
I am always open to other ideas to make learning more enjoyable. So feel free to respond back.
I agree completely. I try and change my approach to the first class every quarter so I can keep my level of enthusiasm high as well. For instance, my first class this quarter is this Thursday and I may by using mind mapping as a tool to explain career goals and the process to obtain them. I teach Career Skills.
I completely agree! Learning need not be completely devoid of entertainment or fun. By integrating this into the course, I believe it also show students that we care about making the content relate-able and at their level.
I think that making a positive first impression is important to create excitement about the topic and about learning in general.
It also sets a level credibility so that students will feel that they can ask questions and feel confident that the instructor will be able to help guide their learning.
It sets the tone for the entire quarter. You either win them over the first class or lose them quickly. I try to to give real life examples in class instead of using the textbook and ask them questions the first class about their career goals so they will care about writing the resume which is what I teach.
A positive first impression relaxes a mature student who is coming to school after many years and is apprehensive. It sends a welcoming signal to the student who automatically becomes excited about coming back to school the next day. I have seen students coming early for their class the next day saying that they enjoyed their first day and are looking forward to the next day.
Hi Liz,
I agree with your method in a big way. I do the same thing and find that as I chat with the students I can "read" the mood of the class for that day. This helps me to customize my instruction if I find that something is troubling them or if they have just learned something new about their career area. I can zero in on that and we can discuss it while still meeting the goals I have for that day's class.
Gary
It invites your students to learn. It can be the one most impactful moments in the early stages of the relationship you build with your students.
I think one of the most impactful things we can do as teachers is to be present, interacting with our students 10 minutes before class begins as students are walking in. We should be engaging with them, getting them focused on learning in the material. We should be "working the room" or "meeting them as they come in."
Hi Douglas,
Your seafood game has to be a real hit with the students. They get to work on their recognition skills while playing a game. Same way with the meats game. This really helps them to activate their working memory and retention of critical content.
Gary
Because you never have a second shot at making a great first impression.
It sets a standard, you will earn respect of the students. You will be a good role model to the students and they will know what you expect from them.
Making a good first impression is an important aspect when first starting a course. It provides students with an idea of what their new instructor expects, what they will learn within the course, and what they can do in order to succeed in the course. This is also gives the students an opportunity to feel more at ease with their new learning environment and with their new instructor. A positive first impression will give students confidence in their new leader and will help to build a trusting relationship between both the instructor and the students.
Using different tools I like to have lots of pictures of what ever it is we are going to be cooking and even more pictures of things we are not going to cook. I put together for the Seafood part of the class a game of letting the students try to identify 40 or so different types of fish and seafoods. In the meat portion of the class I have them identify as man kinds of types of meats as I can gather. This really help them to feel a part of the class.
