Kizzy,
Good opening for a new class. This approach lets the students get settled in and see that they are respected by the instructor. Good foundation to build on for the rest of the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Deborah,
You are a model for your field. Sometimes instructors forget this. We are always "on stage" with our students so our conduct needs to reflect the highest standards.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Firts impressions can last a life time, so you want to start off on a positive note.
Students need to feel safe. Students want to also know that the content to be delivered will be done so by an experienced professional. Trust goes a long way in the classroom. I always open with a short bio and ask students to do the same.
I think your attitude shows through on the first(& every) meeting and the students pick up on it very easy.
It is important to let them see your true self especially if you are in professional form. This lets them see how they want to be.
Somehow the student will "feel, read" the person already! Smiling and greeting students as the instructor walks in give the students of warmth and being acknowledge as a person.
Instead of going in a class without saying a word--students will already judge a person!
Its like if I was going to the dr. office and the receptionist did not say hello with a smile, I will sense the place is not for me to come back, with negative vibes
If you don't make a positive impression on the first class, you run the risk of having students tune you out. It is very hard to comeback from this.
TIMOTHY,
Well said concerning first impressions. It is so much easier as we all know to build on that positive first impression than try to dig out of a hole for the course duration.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
We have about 30 seconds to one minute to make an impression, any impression. Our physical demenor and body language goes a long way in making a statement about how we feel about being in the class room and what we're about to teach. A student's first reaction may be "Ok, I think I'm gonna like him/her"(the positive first impression) in which case you are more likely to have a receptive and focused student .Or,on the other hand you may have the "Uh oh!" response (the negative first impression), meaning possibly a more problematic teaching/learning situation.
Making a positive first impression is crucial to the interaction with students and instructor. It will set the tone and establish a clear avenue for the direction the instructor is going and how he will give you the resources to learn. Students must feel satisfied with the guidance they will receive.
I agree... The first impression sets the tone for the entire course!
It presents yourself and how your students will see you.
Mirela,
This is my style as well. I have found that I have a much higher level of rapport with my students when I am around the chant a bit and have a "soft" approach to opening a class session. This effort gets my students settled in and ready to go and we don't lose any class progress.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Before the class I chit-chat with the students about the subjects not directly related to the lecture to make them feel relaxed and comfortable. I prepare myself emotionally for the class and start my class with warm greetings. Students respond better and show more attention to this than to cold opening of the class.
It will create a trust and bond between you and your students. IF they begin to trust you right away, the learning and teaching process will go much smoother.
As an adult educator, I recognize that many of my students come to this class with great expectations for the possibility of what it will teach them. They also come with a lot of baggage about previous educational experiences and how well (or poorly) they have done. By setting up a positive expectation for the class, and for our interaction with each other, I help to allay some of their fears about wasting time and money.
I think the best way is to show immediately that the students is the center of your attention.
I agree completely. I also try to learn my student's names within the first two sessions as it makes them feel like they are important in my eyes.
Cynthia,
I am with you on the positive first impression and the "make it" part of the impression. Why not start off on the right foot rather than trying to dig out of a hole that has been created with a negative one.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
