Robert,
This is such an important part of the instructional process. I think it starts with respect then goes to rapport and then trust over a period of time in a course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I want to engender a trust with my students that I can successfully enable them to master the course material.
Tula,
I commend you for your ability to engage your students in the learning process to the point that your age or at least your appearance is not an issue. Your competence and confidence become more important to the students and this is exactly where you want them to be in relation to understanding the value of the course they are taking.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I truly believe first impressions are very important because it estalishes the momentum of the rest of the term. How I state my delivery, experience, expectations, and knowledge gives the class as a whole what I plan and expect from them.
What I notice is hard for me in the classroom setting is how young I look. I am in my 30's but I look very young. I notice that this sometimes can throw off some people in my class the first day. Then after a week or two of lecture they start to forgot how young I look and actually pay more attention to what I say. Though I feel I am still looking on how to balance it all out.
James,
Your last sentence really puts it all together. This is the foundation upon which we build our instructional effort for the duration of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe this is crucial in dictating the course that the class takes. I think an educator can always fall into the risk of starting off a bit negative. Whether at the beginning of the semester or beginning of class.
This can be a class that becomes a teacher's nightmare, or a place that they remember why they went into the profession. Positive bleeds more positivity.
Cleveland,
For me the first class meeting is so exciting because I get to meet a new group of students and learn about them. By having fun ice breakers and an introduction session we get to settle into the course and start to learn about each other and how we are going to work with each other during the upcoming course. Always a great day!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A positive first impression creates an opportunity for establishing rapport between instructor and student. This makes reception of instructional material easier because the rapport leads to trust when it is maintained.
Cleveland Sigh
Jaime,
Good goal to have and you can achieve that goal by presenting your human side as an educator. Knowing they can talk with you means you have earned their respect and this is the foundation for the development of rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I want to create a positive learning atmosphere. I want the students to know that they can come to me. I don't want to be condescending or arrogant because they will feel like they can't ask me questions. I have had teachers like that before.
Darcey,
So true. It is hard to get out of a negative hole. So by starting on a positive note you build rapport with your students from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The first impression sets the tone of the whole course. If the first impression is off it takes days to change the way the students perceive you.
Charles,
I agree with getting the students to talking about themselves and introducing themselves to the others in the class. Exchanges like this gets everyone talking and comfortable with the class structure.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I it realy that inportant to make the first impression I understand you all way what to do the best Job but don't you form the impression over time short or long on what kind of person you realy are ?
To ensure a good first impression is made I'll briefly review the syllabus, make notes when first meeting students to remember names and specific details about their background. I think engaging a student on something about themselves helps them open up.
Charles,
Good point and well said. What do you do on the first day to make a good impression on your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Like the commercial says you never get a second chance to make a first impression… Being prepared and planning for your course is a no brainer. Everything from what you wear to your attitude can leave a lingering impression on the class.
Dorothea,
Positive builds on positive and negative explodes. It is so much easier to build on the positive rather than digging out of a negative hole for the entire couse.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Becky,
So true and so important to setting the tone for the class and how the class is going to proceed from the first meeting forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Elly,
Right you are. The first impression is the foundation upon which the rest of the course will rest.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
