Making a positive first impression, in any setting, is crucial. By setting a great first impression, it lets the students know they are in good hands. I will be teaching at a career college where my 21 years of hands on experience will be of great value in guiding my students to a successful start in their own careers. So, I plan to share, briefly, about my journey in the career field they have chosen.
One of the classes that I teach is Business Communications, which includes the entire job interviewing process. As I discuss in this class, first impressions are very important. It projects your professionalism and confidence to your audience (whether that is an interviewer or a student).
Tom Elegante
Debra,
It is the meet - meet process. You and they are doing just what you say, sizing each other up and trying to decide how the course is going to go. It is essential that a positive foundation is created for the class to build upon.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The first impression sets the tone for the whole class - they are sizing you up and you must meet and exceed their expectations.
Samantha,
You have to set the bar for your students so they know what the are striving to achieve. Good point.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's important to set the standard so that the students can learn to be responsible, respectful, and accountable.
Nicholas,
What are some ways in which you help them to get settled into the learning environment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important so that the students feel comfortable and feel supported in their learning environment.
first impression is critical. Makes the student feel comfortable and confident about you. The student assesses you as well. Be consistent from day one.
A positive first impression is important because it will help establish the authority position as an instructor. Through positive impressions we create better connections with our students.
Carole,
Well said and I like the way you cover all aspects of the class. This gets the students settled into the course while informing them of the expectations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Heather,
Good point and one all instructors need to remember, but especially those just beginning their teaching careers. Be ready for that first class and wow them while doing the introduction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A positive first impression sets the tone for the class. It takes the form of how you present yourself in class, your introduction, your interest in the individual students by learning to pronounce their names correctly, conern for what they are interested in for the future. The way an instructor dresses is important to sending the right message about your profession e.g. marketing. It also includes having a well prepared detailed syllabus that clearly outlines goals and objectives, expectations, testing and grading requirements.
I've learned over the years that students will make their first impression of an instructor within the first 30 seconds of class. I've also learned that it is very difficult to change a student's mind during a course session if their first impression of an instructor was not so good. This makes it essential for an instructor to make a positive first impression. I especially like the idea of greeting each student on the first day of class as they enter the room.
Rachelle,
Right you are. We are the learning leaders so we need to make sure we fulfill that role each and every time the class meets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with your post Ruben. A first impression is key to the success of the student and instructor. Without a sound positive first impression of the course through dress, presentation of material and review of course expectations students may dismiss the course as nonimportant or a waste of time.
A positive first impression sets the tone for the entire class. Students have a certain expectation prior to the start of the class. Regardless if they are eager to learn or nervous about the criteria of the course, we as instructors must fuel their excitement and ease their nervousness. This will not happen if we are not prepared, do not clearly list the objectives of the course, and present the material logically and with passion.
Thank you for sharing your experience with a poor first impression and the impact it had on you and the class that session. I know your experience will be of help to other instructors especially those just starting out in their careers.
Philip,
So true and so important for establishing a foundation from which the rest of the course can operate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Edward,
I like starting new classes because of the first meeting and first impressions. It is fun to set the stage for learning that is going to occur. This is done through planning and organization. Once the stage is set then it is forward from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
