Does anyone have any further advice on how to make a positive first impression? What would make for a influential introduction of yourself as a first time instructor? Everyone knows your knew to the educational field, how would you present yourself to make the students confindent in your experience level and transferiing that knowledge into a class room setting
First impression is your last impression!! If you are not able to gain the students respect the first day, it will be hard to get it after that. The students need to have confidence in the instructor that the delivery of information is accurate and taught appropriatly. The instructor gains far more respect if the information is well presented, and easy to follow.
Patti,
Well described in terms of how first impressions are generated and used. The more that we establish an understanding between and among ourselves the easier it is going to be as the class moves forward. A positive first impression lays the foundation for the earning of respect and the development of rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I liken the first impression to the first taste of some food. It might look good initially, but if that first taste is bad, the desire for the rest of that particular food drops dramatically (I'm thinking of really, really hot salsa when you only expected mild...). No matter what people may say, first impressions DO make a difference and it's especially important in teaching. Do the students get a feeling that I'm a safe, reasonable and fair person or a harsh, strict disiciplinarian? Or worse yet, that I'm a pushover because I have so many personal needs to please others or be liked? My desire during that first encounter is to communicate to the students that I care about them, I care about the quality of content delivered and received and that I care about all of us enjoying the learning process together. And yes, I am still consider myself a an ongoing learner, not only in my profession, but in relation to each student who is entrusted to me.
A positve first impression is important because it allows the student to see that the instructor is timely, organized, professional and very eager, excited and overwhelmed with joy to have the opportunity to share in helping them move to the next phase of their lives.
In addition to hearing the various steps and phases of the field experiences that instructor has as well with hopes of being a motivator to them in accomplishing their goals successfully.
Kareneen,
Good point about the needs of adult learners. They are for the most part goal oriented and are in the class to advance their career goals. They want to learn and when learning occurs will respect their instructor for what he or she is teaching them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Most of my students are adult learners. They don't have the time or desire to be in a classroom where they do not respect or enjoy the instructor. Instructors have to make a positive first impression in order to retain students and to also engage the students.
Because this will set the students attitude for the lectures to come. If they have a bad first impression, it willbe very hard to improve their way of thinking and it may affect them through their learning process. With a first good impression then they can build credibility.
Philip,
Right you are. What part of your presenting yourself as a professional makes the most impact on your students? What do they seem respond to the most as you model professional behavior?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important how you present yourself in as a professional and your students will view this as a statement.
James,
Well said. The first impression must be a positive one if a solid foundation of trust and respect is going to be established. For the duration of the course you then build on these two elements.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tia,
I support the position that you set the tone for the class at the very beginning and this tone then can be maintained or modified as needed. After many years of teaching I find that no two classes are the same and that I need to be flexible in how I customize my instructional delivery to meet the specific needs of the students that are currently enrolled.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think this is the most important step in teaching. If you are late for your first class, you are setting a tone for your students, letting them know it's ok to be late. I think the same goes for the way you dress in class. If you make a bad first impression then it's down hill from there. On the other hand if you are there on time and dressed in the right manner then class is off to the right start, and will run a lot smoother from there.
I took a pedagogy class in which my professor told us a teacher should appear inflexible at the beginning, then loosen up, rather than appearing weak then try to toughen up half way through the semester. The semblance of competence and confidence sets a tone that elicits trust and respect.
I always try to make a positive first impression. It helps set the tone for your class. It can help students to identify professionalism.
James,
Good point and one we need to remember as we work with our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
i agree that you want your student to know that when they see you in action they cancome to you for help on any project,they do
provides the students with a clear picture of who and what you are as well as what is expected of them as a professional
Margaret,
Respect is the foundation for rapport and students need to develop rapport with their instructor. Good point about how to start the development of respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rhonda,
Right you are and it needs to be a positive and well planned one.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
