Meeting the Class for the First Time
You are setting good first impressions to the students by , planning, being pre-prepared, and setting a comfortable enviroment for learning.
Virginia,
This is my model as well. I like being in the class and welcoming them as they come in. I chat with them a few minutes and get caught up on their lives while they are getting settled in. This helps to make them comfortable and ready for the upcoming class session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am always here before any of my students arrive. If they see that I am punctual, it sets a pattern for them to be on time or even early. I have found that the ones who are here early or on time are more focused and dedicated to learning a new profession. These are the students who will succeed.
Kristi,
If you are comfortable and confident in your position in the class as the learning leader your students will pick up on it. You make a good point about using those before class minutes to set the tone for the class and get settled in.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too am a new instructor and will use these guidelines for my first class and thereafter. I can definitely identify with the comment of using those extra minutes not only to greet my new students but to calm my own nerves.
Kerry,
I wish you much teaching success. Let me know how your first day works out for you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a new instructor and look forward to using these guidelines in my next first day.
I totally agree with the first impression they receive is one that will determine how effective you will be as an instructor even among adult learners. My first rule that I present is that of respect. This is non negotiable. I am the model and it keeps my class free of management issues.
Bernadette,
Good strategy. Setting the expectations out for the students in a clear and concise way facilitates the development of understanding on the part of the student as to what they are going to be help accountable for and need to do to be successful in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Absoutely! I always begin by greeting the class and providing them with some information about myself. Following this introduction, I set clearly defined expectations and consequences that will occur upon violation of any of them.
Vaughan,
Good point about student behavior management. They will often times "test" you at the beginning of a course to see if you are firm, consistent and fair in your instructional approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Angelia,
Good components of a positive first class. This sets the tone for the upcoming course sessions in a way that promotes student involvement.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
James,
Good examples of the three major student groups. I have the same groups in my class right now. Good point about arriving early and getting settled in and talking with students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think your students impression of an Instructor sets the tone of what they not only think of you but what they think they can get away with.That is why first day is the most important day to set the tone.
Setting good first impressions on the students will allow for a good instructor student relationship. Proving to the students that you are comfortable in the classroom and that you are prepared can make for a very positive learning environment.
I also agree. Being in the class room 15 to 20 minutes early starts off the class meet and greet in a number of ways. Meeting the early comers, to the just made it people, then the Sorry I'm Later group of people. Saying Hello to them all as they roll into class. Letting them also know you are there, organized, and ready to start on time.
I agree on this. You need to be prepared even on the first day of the class. They are judging you and they need to know they have a teacher that knows what they are talking about. They need to have confidence in you.
