Introductions are of the utmost importance when teaching in an online classroom, particularly for first session students. First, the introduction of me allows them to understand my background and my methodologies, plus gives some insight into how I am going to be as an instructor. The student introductions allow the students to get to know each other a little, and I get the opportunity to develop some initial impressions of how well the students will perform so that I can adjust methodologies as needed.
Hi Jodi,
Good strategies for getting a class off to a good start. Your blend of professional knowledge and human compassion illustrates to the students that they have an educator that cares about their success. This sets the stage for them to put forth the effort needed to past the course and acquire the needed knowledge and expertise.
Gary
Students understand where I come from, and can tell my comfort level with the course. I learn from the very first day which students will be more talkative, which students show confidence in themselves, and even in some cases which students will struggle the most in my class.
In my introduction, I try to let the students know that I know what I'm doing. I've taught this class before. Or, if I haven't, that it's new to me, and if they have ideas about what they would like to learn, I would like to hear them.
I also like to show the students that I'm approachable if they have questions or concerns. I try to learn their names within the first week of class (or two sessions if it's a one night per week class). This shows them that I'm interested in getting to know them and that I'm invested in their success.
Except that your word doesn't start with the first letter of your name. :)
Introducing yourself and having your students introduce themselves one at a time breaks the ice on a first class meeting. It creates an initial human bond that is a major component in the learning environment. This is also a good time for the instructor to talk about his/her experiences that the students might find motivating, especially when it concerns work opportunities right after graduating from the program they are enrolled in. It gives a more realistic view of what direction they can be headed. This is very true in nursing.
listen with an open mind and a non opinionated heart. ready to receive, believe and achieve goals and all of life's success.
you are becoming acquainted with your students, and they with you. This allows you to develop a stronger relationship, and sense of respect with your students.
By introducing myself to the class through a brief description of my background not only shows the students my knowledge of the industry but also shows them that it is possible to make a career within the industry. With the students introducing themselves this gives other students and myself a chance to learn how to pronounce their name properly and a little information as to why they are there and what the are expecting from the course.
Being a nurse it is extremely important to me that the students know a little about my nuring background so that the students feel comfortable that I have the knowledge and experience to be instructing them. I also break the ice by having the students also do introductions as well. It helps to relax them and feel comfortable with the returning students.
excellent idea! thank you!
You are getting to know the students, their name,what they want to be called. You can find out where they want to head in the field of study, and by learning about their family,hobbies, pets and how they spend time helping out in the towns they live in. This gives me a lot of information that I can use for the rest of the class.
I feel by introducing myself and giving the student a bit of my background and a look into some of my experiences, they will see a value that the training they will recieve can provide to them.
By having the student introduce themselves and give their name, hometown and what hobby they enjoy it allows a contection between the student and instructor and gives the student a feeling of being an intregel part of the group.
The instructor introduction gives the course a personality. I highlight my credentials without sounding pompous (hopefully) while letting them know I'm there to help them.
Student introductions are great for setting up a rapport student to student and student to instructor. It's also a great way to learn names.
All of the class and instructor learn about each other through the introductions, especially that they are not alone in their life that they are trying to make better by having a career. Introduction of instructor hopefully makes them more at ease by knowing they have a instructor who has worked in the field and has much knowledge of that to share with them. Experience shares what the text cannot. It's extremely important to them.
Getting to know each other as well as developing good rapport between students and instructor will be accomplished.
Introductions are a good way to gain understanding of why the students are in your class and their desire to participate.
We get to know each other a little. They have an idea of my background and experience and I learn some pertinent information about them. What factors are their motivators and they aspire to. I have a good idea of what makes them tick and move them and what barriers they have to overcome to get to the finish line.
I agree, once you get your class to be comfortable and they know you are person just like them, then everything will settle down and you can get down to business.
I think the biggest accomplishment is comfort. Once you know something about them and they know something about you everyone is a little more comfortable and usually feel like they can approach you because you are not just "another instructor"
