Hello, Kari. I also introduce myself and allow students to introduce themselves. Often, students have many commonalities with each other and with me. This is a good starting point to the course.
My students have various undergrad degrees. Besides general introduction I like to find out about their first degree and and work experience after their undergrad degree. This helps me to understand the students backgrounds and ow they may view course content.
Hi Carrie,
I would ask your students how they feel about introductions. Also, by using ice breakers you can have fun with the introductions while learning about the students you have. I have found that with a fun fast paced ice breaker the students get to laugh a lot, get settled into the course and they don't mind the introductions at all.
Gary
Hi Renae,
This is a good way to find additional information about the students in a comfortable way. I really like the way you revisit their comments at the end of the quarter. You and they can see how their opinions have changed or remained the same based on they internalized the course content.
Gary
That is why, as the instructor, I am the first one to do the self-introduction in exactly the same manner as I hope that every student will do it. I do my best to render myself vulnerable as a way showing every student that my classroom is a safe place to do such a thing.
I know as a student I felt horribly stupid doing introductions. I know now why they are important and have used them with my first few classes, but does anybody know how to do it without making the students embarrassed of feel dumb. I'm guessing the anwser is there is no way but I thought it worth asking in any event. Am I the only one that felt that way as a student?
I also have my students fill out a questionairre indicating about the same thing but also why they are in school. I then go around the room and talk to each one. I find that the students have been pretty open to discuss their thoughts on school. It is is interesting though at the end of the quarter, I may readdress some of their comments and thoughts. Some have changed, some have modified, some have not changed...
Thanks.
Renae K
It's essential that you present your qualifications to teach the course. In turn, I want to know about my students. What are their expectations of me and concerns?
The introduction exercise serves several purposes. First, I, as the instructor, get the chance to provide a synopsis of my own biography, as a telling students where I came from. Second, the exercise provides the opportunity to engage with the students on a more everyday level as just another person. Finally, this excercise affords me the opportunity to speak with each and every student individually in order to establish a rapport between him or her and myself.
I believe that it sets a basic foundation for your qualifications to teach the course. Students want to know that they are in good hands and that their instructor is not just teaching from a book but has experiences that have helped them grow and will in-turn help the students grow and learn. The introductory period gives students an idea of where you came from and how you got to that point in your life. Students may be able to relate to your experiences and will be able to see themselves accomplishing what they are setting out to achieve academically and in their careers. They will also gain an understanding of the various paths that they may take in order to achieve their goals and that you support them 100% in their endeavors.
It is a great stimulant to our later conversations. When they understand that interactivity is part of the learning process they tend to open up a bit more. I have them for only 5.5 weeks so it is expedient to get them comfortable in as quick a time as possible. Usually it takes about half of the first one hour chat session to get there. After that it is really interesting to communicate with them.
By sharing informaiton about my 30 year career experience I established myself as a person of expertise and authority.
I think it's important that my students understand that I'm a real person! I teach a lot of students that are in the classroom for the first time in a long time and I can always sense their anxiety. I like to just casually talk to them about my full-time work, my educational journey and why I love to teach. Without telling them anything personal I work to make them see me as more than an intimidating entity holding their final grade hostage.
By introducing myself and the students to each other, I am making everyone a little more comfortable. By knowing who I am and my expectations, it takes a little bit of "fear" out of the process. It also helps them to know that there are others in the class that they have things in common with. I want them to work together in the learning process and not be afraid to ask questions or become involved.
your teaching style, expectations. Also their learning styles.
I have found that introducing myself to the students and sharing a bit about my background puts students at ease. Also, allowing them to share a bit about themselves before beginning the first class releases some of the anxiety about being in a new class and, for some, in a new environment.
Hi Teresa,
You are right on with your comments about the need for students to learn how to work with each other. The social aspects of work are as important as the skill parts. If they can't work with others their tenure on the job is going to be a short one.
Gary
You are accomplishing a setting of team work. I tell my students you will be togeather a longtime. Get to know each other and start working as a team. I start and tell them about myself and my background so they know that I know what I need to know and then it's their turn to get to know each other and start forming bonding relationships.
Hi Linda,
This information can really help you plan how you will approach a new class and plan your instructional strategy. As you know the class dynamics change each time we start a new group of students so the more we know about the students the more accurately we can plan.
Gary
Asking the student in physical therapy about their background and why they have chosen the field helps me learn about their motivation. I have had a student who told me that she wanted to learn how to manage her own child's disability ("Mom knowledge") and others who think that "it would be a good,secure job and "easy to get into".
I can get a sense of which students will challenge themselves and which will go along for the ride.
By introducing myself, I let them realize that I have met many challenges and very interesting people, that the field of PT is not the same job every day...
I like the "shoe phone" idea! I can ask a PTA student to "teach" a (pretend) patient how to do a simple exercise. This will help me and them learn whether we can "think on our feet"!
