I am sharing with the students information about myself and my love for the health care profession that they will be entering. Students know that I have shared most of the struggles they are experiencing and will assist them in removing barriers they face. I also get a brief glimpse into the student to better communicate with them.
Through introductions of myself and the students we all gain an understanding and appreciation for eachother's educational and life experiences. By introducing myself and sharing some information about myself the students can see that I am knowledgeable in the subject area as well as learn that I am human and approachable. By learning about the students I am able to see at what level they are coming in and what life experience they bring to the table. I can also get an idea as to why or what is motivating them to attend school.
Introductions help me to get to know each student, but it also allows the students to get to know on another as well. I think introductions help break down barriers. I have found that students tend to become "friends" with one another if they learn something different about everyone. You never know when there are people from the same home town or know the same people.
I agree, that the more comforatable the students feel with the instructor the more likely they are to speak up if they need clarification or just don't understand something.
Hi Lisa,
Good approach to starting a new class. You are setting the stage for the earning of respect by you and your students while creating rapport opportunities. It is a building process from there that will be to the benefit of everyone.
Gary
By giving an introduction of myself enables the students to access my background pertaining to the subject I am lecturing on. I enjoy listening and learning about the students background because it allows me to evaluate their knowledge pertaining to the course content. This gives me an idea in how I am going to deliver the material - example...maybe a class needs more supplemental material or visual effects to totally grasp the content.
You allow the student to become comfortable with you as an instructor and give yourself some insight into the student and how they learn.
They are getting to know you as well as you getting to know them. It helps you to know the challenges that they may face through the course which will better help you in teaching them
By the proper introduction of myself to the class it gives my students confedence that I have the ability to successfully help them reach their learning goals. When the students introduce themselves it gives me the ability to connect with who they are, remember their names and learn what their goals are. It also helps the class come together as a group as they learn about each other.
This is an opportunity to establish your excitement for the course and a new term. Giving my experience in the profession is important and some little personal information is fun as well.
I prefer having the students pair up and give them 5 minutes to learn 4 fun facts about that person. Then they have to introduce the other student and the fun facts. This style makes the introduction light and usually fun.
I think that it's important to make the effort to learn student's names as quickly as possible. I believe that it shows respect, and sets a comfort level for the next class. You develop rapport with students when you can show them that you remember their name and something about them that they shared with you.
You are reassuring the students that you too are indeed human. This will decrease the anxiety of the student by helping them understand that you are both approachable and wanting to get to know them as individuals, not just names on a roster.
Hi Jeremy,
So true. This kind of support and interaction is what keeps the students in the program. We need to keep this always in the front of our minds as we work with the students.
Gary
You are creating a rapport with each of the students and fostering a more comfortable class environment.
Introductions help learn each others names and a little about each other. They can set students at ease. They can show students that you are human and still know where you are coming from concerning the course. Students will also have the opportunity to see what they have in common with other students in the room, who most likely are in the same degree field as they are.
Introductions helps both the instructor and the students to get to know each other, establish rapor, and sense of belonging to the group.
Joanna,
It feels good to know you have made a difference in the life of another. In a conversation with a professor this week, we discussed the reasons around "why" we do what we do. Most folks know that teachers work tirelessly for the good of the students, frequently without compensation or recognition. For me, it's the moments like the ones you've mentioned. Knowing that we've made a lasting imprint is a wonderful thing!
I agree. It does make you "human". I am an instructor as well as a student. I like to let my class know that I too have homework and study on my off days. It lets them know that I know where they're coming from.
There are many things which can be accouplish through introductions.
They can set students at ease from the beginning. The students can see where I come from and how I believe that regardless of the situation each one can suceed. Students can learn they have something in common with the other students such as who is in the same degree field as they are, are from the same situation, ect.
All in all introductions can aid in setting the tone for the environment for the rest of the course.
I let the students know that it is hard for me to remember names because of my sezuires but I know who they are, what they look like, and many students don't seem to mind that I can look at them and know that they belong to me, but I can't connect them with a name on a piece of paper. These students still come to me for advice, help in other classes through out thier time on the campus. Some students have even come back after graduating and tell me that I have helped them deal with other situations, I knew nothing about- based on thier time in my classroom.
By doing so, I help to break the ice and allow the class an opportunity to feel close and connected as a group. It also allows me to know the students on a personal level. It helps me understand the students' learning goals, motivations, and concerns so I can find ways to assist them to succeed. I use the introduction to establish myself as an expert and to make the course appealing to the students.
