Meeting the class for the first time
Michele West-Lax
Forum 4 Response
Not having an extensive teaching experience, I utilized instructor skills and methods from professors of the past that I enjoyed. Upon walking into the classroom, I smiled and greeted students as they walked in. Once class began, I introduced myself, gave a brief background about my experience and skills, gave contact information, and then had the students introduce themselves and give a reason why they choose their area of interests. I wanted to get to know the students and for others to get to know them. These forums and trainings for immensely effective in ensuring the skills used in the past by previous professors, and the skills utilized in the classroom are standard and effective.
Bonnie,
This time of sharing helps the students to get settled into the course and helps the students to see what they have in common as well as what experiences each students is bringing to the course. A great way to set the stage for engaged learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Bonnie,
I like the way you open your new classes. By using experiences from the field and humor you have the interest of your students right from the beginning. This sets the stage for a very successful course to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like the idea of having the students introduce each other as well. It does help them get to know another student and often it is easier to introduce and talk about someone else than it is to talk about yourself.
I really like to take time during my introduction to share my experiences in Dental Hygiene. I like to share how dentistry has changed over the years and include some amusing anecdotes to lighten up the atmosphere. Humor does so much to relax the students and to engage them in the presentation. It can show them that I am a real person with a sense of humor that I haven't lost during my many years of clinical practice. It shows that I take my profession seriously but that I try not to take myself too seriously all the time.
Christie,
I think this is such a great way to get to know students better plus you are sharing with them in a way that starts the earning of their respect. From there you can develop rapport with the students as you get to know them better and the course progresses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of each new clinical rotation I like to introduce myself and my nursing experiences then I ask each student to do the same and to add why they wish to become a nurse...this personalizes their training experience and gives me (and the student)a moment to collect their thoughts and values.
Michele,
Instructors that want to continually expand their instructional abilities are those that look to others for advice and observation. By thinking about instructors you have had in your past you can see what you want to use from them and what you don't. Then you can use your personality to interact with your students and as a result you are going to earn their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do the same thing: introduce myself and course, brief background and information, then have them introduce each other. The student individual introductions really help me judge what kind of student group I have and how best to grab their attention. It also opens them up.
