First day of class
I make it a point to tell my students at the first class (and later if needed) that "I never make a mistrake!".
Hi Kimberly,
Great! Keep up the good work! We are certainly in the business to help students learn. Students need to make a special effort to retain what they have learned so that the information can be applied in the workplace.
Patricia
On the first day of class, I tell them that anyone is capable of getting an "A" if they do the work, but that if they don't learn the information in the process that the letter doesn't mean anything. That if they don't understand something to ask the question and learn the material, not just memorize it just to get through it. I also explain that not only are they learning from me but that with each and every class I learn something new as each and every student learns differently forcing me to keep coming at topics from outside the box until every student gets it. I really try to focus students on learning :)
Hi Clarence,
What is the typical day for you on Day 1?
Patricia
We all need to have a good laugh at our mistakes.
Hi Sue,
Absolutely, students should see your personality, but we should never have a personal relationship with our students.
Patricia
Students do need to see instructors as human. Clearly this does not mean the instructor has to share personal information but I think it is acceptable and welcome for students to see that an instructor has a sense of humor (appropriately used) and a personality.
I tell my students on the first day of the class they will get A's eventually. They might be slow to start with but will catch up towards the end of the class.
Hi Paula,
Expectations/requirements should certainly be made clear on Day 1. I also like the idea of securing signatures on a document that fully details the expectations/requirements.
Patricia
On the first day of class I always introduce myself and let them know my experience in the field. I also make it a point to lay out my expections of my students the first day so that should these expectations not be met in mid session they were told them from day one and I can deal with the student on an individual basis.
Hi Kimberly,
I like it, and I can see how it makes your students laugh! Awesome ice breaker.
Patricia
I see what you did there.
What I've chosen to do is to use the "Doing it Right/Doing it Wrong/Doing it Well/Doing it Poorly" chart from our instructional videos here, and explain to the students that they need to be comfortable making mistakes in the learning process.
Hi Thomas,
That's true, and a part of life is to learn. We really do live and learn.
Patricia
My motto is similar and is always good for a laugh. An "ice breaker" of sorts. I tell them that I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.
I also let my students know we are not perfect nor do we live a perfect world but if we learn by our mistakes that it will do us juctice in the long run.To learn is a part of life.!!!
When I meet the students the first day, we take turns and tell the class about our self. I am the last one to speek if a student will start . One of the subjects is what if someone makes a mistake, do we laugh?or correct the person, or speaking for myself, I will give a wrong answer to the class, just to see who in paying attention. I will say that some of the mistakes happer from papers that come from the copy machine. I take the blame for this . I tell the students that I should have proof read the copys.
I agree. I also tell them it is not wise to put us on pedestals; it is a big drop. I try to give examples as it pertains to the subject matter.
Hi Adrienne,
You are right! Each mistake should be taken as a lesson learned and focus on not making the same mistake repeatedly.
Patricia
I use another angle: "There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. There IS something wrong with making the same mistake over and over again.
All of you come from various backgrounds and as I teach something new to you - you may have another way of doing the same thing. I encourage you, from time to time, to display what you know.
Hi Michael,
I am sure your students have high regards for you from making such powerful statement. This is certainly a great way to grab students' attention.
Patricia
