A positive impression on the first day of class sets the tone for the way the class will be conducted the entire session. If the instructor is not organized and is not clear in presenting themselves then the students wil be unorganized and less likely to listen to the instructor.
A posstive first impression is vital to the students. They percieve the Instructor and follow their lead. If a student scences an Instructor has a bad attitude and is not motivated, they too become a negative, and are not willing to learn in a possitive way. Therefore it is very important to make a possitive first impression!
In the professional course I teach it is important to set the stage, but I believe it is most important the student can trust that you have the credentials to teach them this course, at least the credentials that the student is striving to achieve
First impressions are not something to be taken lightly. I deal with this on a daily basis in my massage business. I myself, have formed many "first impressions" throughout my lifetime. It's part of human nature. The way you present yourself at any given time will leave an impression of who you are and what you stand for. Be confident, compassionate and trustworthy and success will be your reward. Your students will naturally want to do well for you from the start, thus, will succeed your course.
First impressions are not something to be taken lightly. I deal with this on a daily basis in my massage business. I myself, have formed many "first impressions" throughout my lifetime. It's part of human nature. The way you present yourself at any given time will leave an impression of who you are and what you stand for. Be confident, compassionate and trustworthy and success will be your reward. Your students will naturally want to do well for you from the start, thus, will succeed your course.
The students are more nervous than the instructor on the first day. I normally break the ice with some comedy to ease the tension in the room before proceeding with the task at hand.
Hi Lisseth,
This is great to hear! Always like it when a teacher has had a good start with a class. Way to go in handling a difficult situation and finding an alternative strategy for completing the class. The more of these experiences you have the better you will get at going another directions when a piece of media fails you or the students need to be taken a different direction than you had planned.
Gary
Hi Esther,
Your approach gives you a balance that is critical for teaching success. You are organized, prepared and ready to teach and that is what being a professional is all about. By making yourself accessible you are letting your students know you care about their success and are there for them.
Gary
It is hard making a greatfirst impression especially as a new instuctor. worrying about the students and your presentation. I wish I had taken this prior to my first class would have been helpful
The first day of class was very exciting! The overall positive first impression I believe went well. Although there were some technical difficulties that put a delay to the powerpoint lecture the students were very patient and we just continued to use time wisely going over syllabus.
For me, making a positive first impression involves being organized, dressed professionaly, ready to greet students as they walk into class, starting & ending on time, and sharing my passion for my subject. Of course, I need to be thorough in going through class expectations during that first class too. I also try to make myself look human and accessible by sharing some personal information about myself.
That positive first impression gets the whole class off to a good start. Very early on students need to know that you are capable, serious and dedicated to their success.
to come in class earlier than the students, have your handouts in order and ready to give copies to students. have a positive outlook towards the whole course for the students to feel at ease. by calling their name or having them to tell more about themselves is a good start to break the ice "so to speak". be confident and concise with your lesson plan for the students to be impressed.
Hi Steve,
I agree. This works for all ages. This way you have established that you are a professional and expect your students to act that way as well. You are setting the standard for the course.
Gary
When I first starting teaching in elementary school, colleagues always reminded me to start off the year as a strict teacjer and then ease up eventually.
It was much easier to loosen the reins rather try to pull them in once things are out of control.
Even though that adage was meant for younger students, I believe it's true with college students, too.
Hi Tim,
Good point. It is much easier as you well know to start on the right foot rather than trying to correct or reinvent yourself. I am always amazed when I see instructors that start off rocky with their new class and then can't figure out why they don't have rapport with the students.
Gary
I teach adult learners, if you do not make a good first impression it can make for a long quarter. To have a good first impression I have the class material organized and ready to go.
Hi Sarah,
This is a good example of an instructor bringing disrespect upon herself because she doesn't have it together. As you say first impressions are definitely vital. Just think what the students would be saying about this instructor if she had come in organized and prepared to teach. They would have been wowed by her abilities as an instructor and educational leader instead they are dismayed by her being in the classroom. So sad.
Gary
I have some students who are very dissapointed in another teacher. I believe she has some good points to make, but has been so unorganized and scattered during the first 5 weeks of class that they don't trust or respect her. Hopefully things can be turned around but it's going to be a struggle. Positive first impressions are definitely vital!
As stated in the module we only get one chance to make a good impression. If the first impression we give is one of being unorganized, ineffective, and uncaring we will have to spend the rest of the term trying to correct these impressions. It is so much easier to maintain a good impression than to have to rebuild one. It is especially difficult to rebuild when there is a negative foundation.
