Getting to know your class
I find and it really pays off to spend the time to in the begining of a class to not only get to know the students, but to have them get to know each other. Even though this take up time, I find that the class is more engaged and that students participate more.
Mark,
I like to use ice breakers in my classes as well. They really help to get students settled into the course and get to know their fellow students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I picked up a tip from a fellow instructor on an ice breaker. I have each student stand up, introduce themselves and tell where they went to high school and their team mascot.
Set high rules, consistently back them up and your students will adjust.
Hi Shamoon,
This is a good way to start the first few minutes of the class. Then you can do an activity with them where they pair up with another student and exchange information about themselves. Then have the partners introduce the other person by name and tell something about that person. Another activity is to give the students a quiz over some of the basics of the field. This gives you a baseline of their knowledge plus they have fun talking about the questions that have been asked.
Gary
Other than asking about their names and where they come from, what else can we do as instructors to break the ice? Perhaps ask them why they are here? Or give them time to talk about their hobbies, interests, likes/dislikes? Is there anything else?
Class introductions are very helpful in getting to know your students and your students getting to know eachother. Towards the completion of a class, i like to ask students to write about their career goals. This gives me a basis of comparison to judge what they have learned and how their aspirations may have changed over the duration of the course.
I find it much easier to direct/instruct people/students if you have an understanding of who they are and what motivates them.
Hi Roberta,
You got that right. By knowing their names early in the course the students know that you respect them and that you are there to support their learning efforts.
Gary
I totally agree Tyler. It is really important to know those bits and pieces and goals from the student and for their classmates to know those too!
What a difference it makes if I take time right away in the class to chat with each student individually about their reasons for being here, goals, circumstances, etc. The other bonding tool that impresses my students even more than my credentials is learning their names on the first day....
Hi Sarah,
I like this way of starting a class. The students have a bit of fun plus get to know each other better. This helps them get comfortable with each other and you.
Gary
Hi Gary, I usually pair up students and have them interview and then introduce each other (as "my new best friend"). Introducing someone else to the class seems to be much less intimidating and adding the "new best friend" thing makes it silly enough that it loosens people up. I often use that pairing throughout the quarter for other activiites to reinforce that they have best freinds in the class. Sarah
It's simply not an option. My students someday are going to have to be in front of a group of people speaking.....BUT I do make it fun so that everyone can feel comfortable with talking about themselves.
I feel that in the online environment it is very important to help the students understand they are more than just a name on the screen. To help accomplish this I have the students post an introduction and I reply to each of them. In my reply I try to ask them questions related to their posting. I have found this to be a good way to learn more about my students.
Laura
Hi Tyler,
During the introduction session how do you encourage the shy students to talk about themselves and their interests? This is something that many instructors are concerned about and we want to share as many of these strategies as we can. Thanks.
Gary
it's important to get to know the students right from the get go. I like to have students get up and tell everyone sometime interesting or different about themselves. It opens the door to understanding where the student is coming from and provides a possible connection or link for discussion with the student on a one on one basis.
During the first few online discussion boards, I try to use the students' names in my responses to help them feel like their particular answers were acknowledged specifically. I also respond to each student who acknowledges that my course may be their first online course. This type of communication early on gives helps the students gain a sense of ownership and belonging in the "classroom."
I completely agree with you Phyllis. The time spent at the beginning allowing students to get to know one another is so worth it in the long run. I've found that the classes that feel the most "connected" often times are also the most successful.
