Hayli,
I think this is a great strategy to follow as a new instructor. Your presence throughout the school sent a very strong signal that you were there and available to engage students in conversation and provide support. This gave you a jump start when you started your course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's important to make a good first impression on new students so your students can see that you're ready to teach the subject. They'll see you feel comfortable teaching the topic which usually means that the instructor is knowledgeable in subject to be taught. With me being a new instructor, I wanted to show students that I was there when they needed me. I walked around all day so they would see me or at least know where to find me. For the students, it was unnerving at first to have an instructor walk along all day staring at students. However, they quickly realized why I did it and that they never had to hunt me down. It feels good to have students come up to me and thank me for walking around school and showing them that I'm there when they need me.
I wonder why so few people have selected this topic, compared to the hundreds who responded to other topics? Perhaps because they think the answer to this topic is easy or evident. I think not.
Having taught at BS, MS/MA and DBA levels at 7 different universities (6 of them graduate programs), I notice a tremendous difference in student expectations between programs at these different levels. BS students frequently look to their faculty for some sort of clarity - how does all this stuff fit together? MS/MA students frequently see their faculty as hurdles to graduation. "I am trying to manage my time here. Just tell me the requirements and get out of the way." DBA students are seeking sponsors -- they are looking past the course to the dissertation and evaluating every faculty member as a possible member of their committee.
I try to play to these respective expectations in my opening sessions. My goal is for each student at each level to leave the first class thinking of me and my course as a resource that will have utility in their progress trough the institution. I want their first impression to be "Here is a guy who will be useful to me, now and in the future." If I can achieve and maintain that attitude, they will come to the next class prepared and ready to learn.
Nisa,
A positive first impression sets the tone for the upcoming class sessions and well as the start of rapport development. Building on this foundation creates an environment of trust and comfort for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Difficult to explain first impression.It is about your attitude personality and professionalism.Years of the experience are very important.With each class we are learning more more and more.
Kathy,
Thank you for the kind words. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I enjoyed this course and feel that I learned alot about teaching and implementing the things that I learned
Frances,
Good point and one that needs to be remembered each time an instructor steps into the classroom or lab.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Melannie,
A positive first impression builds a solid foundation for the instructor and the content that is to come. Trying to dig out of a negative hole is tough and really impacts the learning process. Your comments are right on target in this regard.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the first impression is what sets the scene for class. If your first impression is positive and very motivated then the class will most likly stay that way.
A positive first impression when starting a new class is imperitive to gain respect, trust, and set clear expectations towards the students in the class. They need to make sure that their instructor will evaluate them fairly, displays confidence and expertise in the field they are teaching. The students need to feel that the material to be learned will be worth it and it is necessary.
The instructor set's the tone within the class which exhibits preparedness, professionalism and planning. It is difficult for a teacher to recover when they are not displaying all three characteristics.
If a professor makes a positive first impression, then the students are far more likely to respect the instructor, listen during class, and perform to the best of their ability. Students will feel like they are respected because the instructor has come in with a positive vibe and they feel that they will learn, so they will try hard.
A negative impression will only encourage students to act out, not listen, and be disrespectful to the instructor and other students. It makes a negative learning environment and can cause other students to act out and learn less as well.
Shelby,
It is so much easier to build on a positive foundation so why not create one on the first day? Then it becomes a matter of earning respect and developing rapport which is an exciting part of being an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The first impression offers a unique opportunity to set the stage and tone for the rest of the term. Making a mistake here can lead to communication breakdown, disinterest and reduced retention. Worse, it can cause students to not take you or the class seriously. Starting off by explaining why you love teaching this course, instead of grumbling about being stuck teaching it again, is the difference between a positive environment and a disaster class.
Tracey,
Good point and one we need to remember as we plan our first class meeting. We need to think about how what we are planning will be received by the new students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I remember my past professors. Within the first ten minutes of a new class, I would decide in my mind how that class would go. I have to remember that this is now happening to me.
Timberly,
Right you are. You are the learning leader so you need to set the stage for the students so they will be excited about coming to class and look forward to the information that is being shared and skills that will be developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi,
Making a first positive impression is important because it sets the pace of what is expected and you are leading by example of what qualities/traits that they should develop as the develop further within their careers.
it shows your charcter and make the students want to come back to you and your class for advice and be very interested in learning from you the entire class or term that you will be guiding them through and it gives them some motivation to look forward in the future and what to expect from you and your class and it gives them a sense fo who you are and how you preform and how you expect them to preform. lead by example.
