Meeting the class
I like to open the first few minutes of the first class as an introduction. I am lucky to have smaller class sizes which facilitates this nicely. I like to gauge the student and their abilities prior to the class starting. I then normally give a quick background of myself. This has proven useful due to my perceived age. I tend to have older students in my class and this lets them know that I actually know the material. I have had issues with older students in the past but this has seemed to work.
Jay,
Good way to make a early connection with your students and get them to focus on the fact that you have the knowledge and experience to help them move toward their career goals if they are willing to put forth the effort. Knowing you were once in the same position as they helps them to relate to the fact that you do understand them and their learning needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to introduce myself to the class and explain who I am and why I am a credible person whose experience and views are valuable to them. I then ask the class their goals and explain to them that I began my career exactly as they are doing, following the school's curriculum and making contacts for employment through their internship.
KEVIN,
This is a comfortable and easy way to open a new course. You establish yourself as the learning leader while you get to know your students as they get to know you. Then you all can together build on the learning experiences that will come in the course. Your use of student experiences is to be commended as this brings value to the course as well as helps students to learn to respect each other based upon their contributions to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yeah, I like to start off with and introduction as well; however, being and Electrical instructor, I do not have extensive field experience in every category I teach. In the past I would let the class presume I am well versed in all aspects of the trade and found this to come back and bite me.
You make a great point to gauge the abilities of the students, I have had students in class with more knowledge than myself in areas; like telecommunications for example. Many electrical contractors do not perform this work and it is often sub contracted to a telecom company. Anyway, I had a student who worked for a telecom contractor and was going to school to get the requirements to become a licensed electrician. That student came with such a wealth of knowledge, they actually contributed toward the field experience and what will be expected.
In my introduction I now highlight my strengths and specialties, to allow students to know areas I can dig deeper with them, and always ask if anyone has field experience or has worked with electricians before. This question is always enlightening, and helps me to draw discussions later in the course.
I like to give the class a chance to introduce themselves too. I like to use a playful approach of favorite food, music, movie, or likes and dislikes, dream vacation when they become successful as a result of the program. I found I need to take notes of these day one findings and keep them with me, even after I learn a students name, just writing these down helps me remember them down the road.
Karin,
Sounds like a great teaching/learning setting for everyone involved. You get to learn about your students, they about you and while doing this everyone gets settled into the course ready for the next session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also start the first day of class with introduction about why I am teaching and why I am so passionate about what I do. I give them a brief history about myself and ask about them. I also have a small class so this makes things easier and it seems to break the ice for all
