Ricardo,
The first impression should be based upon what image you want the students to take away from the class about you and the course you teach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
Great advice and a very clear message. We are always on stage no matter where we are in the school or clinical setting where we are supervising. So be the model that you need to be throughout your time in the educational or practicum setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel the class needs to know the instructors background. this should help the class know that the instructor is trustworthy.
A good first impression of what?
Shouldn't there be an objective to accomplish?
Like what is the impression desired for projection?
The first impression is a lasting impression. Always remember the student is watching you, so whatever you do in the classroom will set the precedence for the future of the class and your students. Be mindful that the student will assess you from the moment he/or she enters the classroom. They will test your knowledge, skills and abilities on the first day of class. It is always a good idea to be fully prepared and aware of what can and most likely will happen on the first day of class."BEWARE, BEWARE".By all means KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL.
it says you care about your profession and you care about your students.
I feel the same in this particular topic. Creating a possitive first impression with the estudents, should establish the bases of a friendly but respectful relation in between faculty and students, as well as what will be expected from them to get the best out of the course.
Brandon,
It sure is and something we need to always keep in our minds as we conduct ourselves.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is amazing how even the smallest things we do as educators can get picked up on by students.
Cynthia,
Good point and one that should help to increase the appeal of your course to and for all students. There is so much value to a course like your in all aspects of a student's development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a psychology teacher I truly respect the importance of modeling. In regards to creating a first impression you are setting a standard of expectation for the student by modeling the types of behavior that are expected from the student such as arriving on time and being prepared to start class.
Richard,
I really like hearing this from a professional like yourself. Many instructors don't place value on professionalism and as a result the students have a poor model to follow and image project to the field in which they are preparing to enter.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes. That has been one of my favorite classes to teach. I really enjoy it. I feel that I can have a great impact on the immediate lives of students. I also like the relevancy of the course to the lives of the students.
Tom Elegante
Dr. Antonia,
Right you are about the value of a positive first impression. An impression is going to be made at the first class meeting so why not make it a positive one instead of having to dig out of a negative hole for the rest of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My goal is to present a positive professional image for the field that I have worked in for the last forty years. Anything less would be a disservice to my profession and my colleagues. I want my students to look at what I represent and think to themselves, "Oh yeah, I chose the right field to work in!".
A positive first impression is so important when starting a new class because a first impression is key to presenting yourself. You not only want to set the standard for the classroom, but you want to set the standard for each student in your classroom. You are not only represeting yourself, you are representing the facility in which you work. With this being said you want to dress appropriately, use correct language and make the students feel comfortable and that the environment is conducive for learning.
A positive first impression instills confidence in the instructor's ability to teach the course. Students look to the first meeting with the instructor as a way of determining the flow of the course, the class expectations, as well as the qualifications of the instructor.
It sets the tone for the entire class and in some ways your credibility as a professional. As a lead instructor, it helps reassure your fellow assistant instructors that you know what you are doing and have a solid course in mind.
Sherri,
Good way to open the class as you are establishing yourself as the learning leader that has the knowledge and experience to help them move toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tom,
You have a great class in which to impress upon your students the value of a positive first impression. As we know so many jobs are lost at the interview stage because of negative first impressions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
