A first impression is very important it is how students perceive you and judge you if you really know your material.
you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The proper impression will set the tone for the course.
A positive first impression is important when starting a new class because it helps to set the tone for the way the classroom will be conducted.
I have done a few things with my class that I already know to show them why first impressions are so important. I have came in with out a badge on, gum, hair down, nails hot pink and with a rude attatude. They of course think its funny but they never forget why I tell them its so important. I have got emails back years later about this and how they remembered to always keep a first impression possitive.
Hamm
Bethanne,
"We as humans tends to be judgmental" - what a true statement. Even when we try to always be fair and open minded, I think we fall back into that trap of judging from our own perspective.
Franes
Jill,
I think you make a good point about eliciting feedback even from students who are not happy with the class or with the grade or with the instructor. It is sometimes difficult not to take it personally when a student is disrespectful or even confrontational about something that is really the students' fault.
Frances
It's like in everthing else - we judge people by the first time we see them. Whatever we think on the first meeting can be either good or bad and it is difficult to overcome the bad elements of a first meeting. I think it is particularly important to be prepared and show students that we really do know what is going on and how to lead them to succeeding in the class. I start on time, have my visuals ready and cover information needed for the class session but always try to remember that the most important thing is to meet the needs of the students. It is okay to vary from my "structured" schedule.
Frances
A positive first impression is important for everything in life. It is especially important for instructors starting a new class because it leaves the students with an idea of how their class will run and what to expect. If the instructor is unprepared and late to the first class this may set the example that it is acceptable for the students to do the same.
The students need a confidence booster. Many
of the students are students that have been
out of school for awhile and really need to hear
that they can do it and you are here to help them
achieve their goals. There should never be
a negative first impression, the student might
decide not to return to class. The student needs
to know it'a all about them.
Ehtesham,
Right you are. It is great when you can build on a positive first impression for the rest of the course.
Gary
Pearlmarie,
Actually I don't really worry about making a positive first impression on those students that miss the first day. I work hard to be prepared and make a positive first impression on the students that are there. When the students come in that miss the first class meeting I share the materials with them, explain how they can catch up and then move on. The reason for this is that I want the to see that the first class meeting is very important for them to be there. So when they ask "Did we do anything?" I can say yes we did. I give a pretest the first class so I can get a baseline on the students. They don't put their names on the tests so they are more relaxed in talking about the results of the quiz. I give them professional points as well, again to send a message to those that chose not to attend the first class. When a student misses the first class with an excused absence I meet individually with that person and catch him/her up.
Gary
Thanks Dr.Gary
First impression is very important for the whole course/model. If any one first impression makes problem then very hard to get good impression. If first impression performs is good the just maintain that impression
This is a most critical time in teacher/student relationship. The objective is to make the students comfortable and remove all of their anxiety. They will respond better, relate well to you and their fellow students and will set the right learning mode.
I have found that making a positive first impression is important for both the student and the instructor. I need help with the following issue: What is the best way for an instructor to make a positive first impression with the student(s) who miss the first day(s) of class?
"Did we do anything?" is often asked. Wow! We surely did to something important.
Thanks for responding.
Valerie,
So true and so important in establishing the foundation for the course. A good first impression sets the tone for the rest of the class sessions as we all know. I think it also shows the professionalism that the instructor is bringing to the class.
Gary
A positive first impression is extremely important when starting a new class, because first it sets the stage for what is expected. If you wow the students from day one and continue to build through your teaching techniques; the students will respect, admire, and enjoy attending every class. To set this standard from the beginning is what every professional wants, needs, and must do to keep a motivated class.
Jennifer,
Great way to express how to make a positive first impression. This creates the foundation for the development of respect and rapport with the students.
Gary
Because the students want to be reassured that you are truly an expert in the subject matter, that your ultimate goal is their success, and that you are a professional role model that they can use to set their career path in motion. You want to gain the confidence of the student so that they communicate with you well and so that you can identify any possible obstacles that the student may need to overcome in order to be successful in your class.
I arrive early and have all supplies prepared. I dress according to my profession.
One has to earn the respect of students and much of this is achieved by the first impression. What you do in that first class will set the tone for the entire course.
