First Impressions
I have found that it is extraordinarily important to make a great impression on the first week of class. I try to be as enthusiastic, positive, funny, and engaging as possible to ensure that we all get off to a great start. If you lose the respect of your students on the first day of class, it is nearly impossible to get it back.
I agree first impressions are very important. I always try to set a positive and inviting impression to the students. But at the same time I also make sure the students know that I take education serious.
I agree with Lori,previous students have a big impresssion on new students and we all know how people love to express negative feedback.This being said,i think the first week of class should be a very positive experience for new students.
Your first impressions are so important and if not received well sometimes it is hard to overcome. Making sure students know you are confident in your knowledge and role in the class is important as well as the feel that your are caring and concerned about them. I would learn everyone's name during the first 2 hours I had them. I state I did this because you are important to me as individuals.
Obviously, first impressions are very important in any life experience. This is especially true when coming to a new school. Your first impressions of the school will be indelible in your mind. I try to make the students relaxed and tell them about my experiences with school and try to put myself in their "shoes."
I agree that the first impression is crucial to the future management of the classroom. It is important to be prepared & professional at the start of your class to lay a foundation of your expectations for the students.
I agree that the students first impression of you and the classroom is very important. That is the reason I try to learn each students's name within the first two weeks of school.
I have used the same technique. I try to let them know that they will get through the course just find and that I am available for additional support if they need it. When applicable, I encourage the students to share what experience they have had in relation to what we are discussing. This seems to ease much of their apprehension and uncertainty the first day.
I agree with this statement... Only adding it important to maintain the same enthusiastic personality throughout... This assures the student you are as excited about this journey as they are...Granting more of a lasting impression..
As a single parent, I struggle with getting to my early morning classes on time. It frustrates me that this is sometimes the first impression my new students have of me.
Students have already sized the instructor up before coming to class.They have spoken with other students and have gotten the information from other students. The key is to be very knowledgeable, uphold standards, be professional, but human at the same time, and sincerely interested in the student. Instuctors must introduce themselves and give a brief resume to establish creditability from the beginning.
I completely agree with this statement. I always profess to my students that when they are entering into their clinical experience, they are actually "walking into" an interview. They need to be at their "professional" best. The first impression that the students make to the clinical site is the most important. This holds true with instructors on their first day as well. We must be prepared, enthusiastic and at our "professional best" which will ultimately result in student retention
I always make it a point to tell my students about myself so that they can get a better understanding of me as an instructor
Always remember that the students will take everything you say to heart and your actions do speak louder than words. So, the first impression is the most memorable impression.
anthony,
Excellent observation. If we expect our students to continue to be prepared and professional, we must do the same.
Susan Backofen
true but it must be maintained thought the entire course. seen coworkers fail to do this.
I definitely agree with everyone in saying first impressions are key. Your attitude, appearance, and subject matter knowledge will set the bar for the students learning. Being fun and enthusiastic will break the barrier in the classroom and help student’s participation and make them want to be in class to learn. Always be fun and enthusiastic and keep it professional.
Nicole,
Great observation! We, too, are being 'sized up' that very first class.
Susan Backofen
I agree as well, first impressions are very important. If youn think about it, we tell our students prior to their clinical externship how important the first impression is. Be on time, be prepared and enthusiastic. I belief it is the same for us instructors. How we present ourselves on the first day is very important.
First impressions will set the mood for the entire class. It is natural for us as human beings to use our sense of sight as the very first impression. If a student walks into a classroom for the first time and sees dirty tables, cluttered materials on the instructor's desk, outdated pictures on the wall or an Instructor that is out of uniform can very quickly give the student a bad feeling about the course.Then the senses of sound and smell kick in.Does the room smell fresh or stale? When the Instructor begins to speak, is he or she legible? Do they sound excited that I am here today or about their job? It only takes a few seconds for a student to already have their first impression and every second counts.
