Students Introduce Themselves on 1st Day
A method I have been using for a while to break the ice within the group and to allow students to get to know each other, is have each student introduce him/herself to the class and express their expectations about the class or why they are there. This allows students to relate to one another when it comes to their goals and expectations, and any fears/doubts they may have about the class. As students start opening up about their backgrounds and goals, others start to follow and new friends/colleages are created during this 1st hour of class. They come to class the second day knowing that everyone in class is and feels just like them, knowing that they already know people in the class they can relate to and look forward to seeing again.
This is something that I use and have found to be very effective as well. It opens the door to the students who feels like they are the only one with that situation and reduces the "newbie" stress of I don't know anyone. I use bingo or "speak" as I have named it as a jumping board. Each student is given a list of questions to ask like their favorite movie, book, song etc. and they have to go around the room and ask each student what theirs are. This makes them start talking to each other. They will find similarities in each other and start bonding and also learning to not judge a book by its cover. You never know who will like what and it allows the instructor an inside look as well. All students will then turn in their boards for the instructors review and the student(s) who have the most in common win a prize which is usally something from admissions like a pen/key chain with our logo on it so it also is a promotional tool as well.
I agree with your method. I also use this method and find it very useful. It allows the "ice to break" when you have students from many backgrounds that can be very shy and timid. And also as you stated, it also allows other students to bond and get to know each other.
AHH...we do the same game! I actually have the students grab a piece of paper as they walk into class and write a # 1-20 on it and their name & then have them bring it to me...then I explain to them I am going to call your name and the # your chose and wrote down on your paper...this is the # of things you have to tell me about yourself. LOL...that usually brings a good laugh to get us started...they tell me everything from their age..area they are from...# of kids..married/single...etc. But I tell them the one thing they must include is "What made them choose our school & program" & "Why they choose cosmetology as their profession"....great way to get to know your student and what motivates them and I share too. And always include what motivated me to this career & how long I've been in the buisness..& what motivates me today! Great game...use it every quarter for all my new starts!
This also gives the Student a taste of public speaking which can help build self confidence. Of course before the Students start sharing it needs to be made very clear to respect the person that is talking.
This is an excellent resouce for breaking the ice and for the instrutor to have a backgroun of the students. It also hepls the students to know each other.
This method works for me as an ice breaker and makes ground for students to open up to the new inviroment and feel more connected with their peers.
Student introductions are a great way for the instructors to analyze the students and their learning needs or wants.
I have students do a meet and greet the first week and say something they learned about another classmate. That gives them an opportunity to get to know other students right away.
Absolutely I agree with this method as well, but I strongly agree that the introductions also allow me to find out the backgrounds and experiences, but more so how I can design the delivery of the material to cater to the needs of my students. It is important for each student to feel a connection to the class, it is also important for the instructor to connect to the learning styles of those needs. Student introductions are a great way for the instructors to analyze the students and their learning needs or wants.
Another intructor and myself do this in our classes. We have two seperate classes in the same room so we both do our self introductions, then we go around the class and let the students introduce themselves, where there from, what they plan on doing when they get out of school so we kinda break the ice that way. It also helps us on starting to learn there names.
Lawrence--
Good for you! Adding humor, especially targeted at yourself, helps everyone to relax.
Susan
I also use this method. After introducing myself I share my back ground and my qualifications and experience with the class and then I ask them in turn to share where they work and about themselves. This is a very good first day get acquainted ice breaker for all. This also gives me a chance to assess the students experience and back grounds. .
I like this format and have been useing it as well as asking them where their from, so as to allow student to make friends with someone that my live close to them.
I also use this method. It is a good way of finding out more info about the student. You get to know the student better with the info that he gives. You find out if he works, married, hobbies, kids and what he wants to get out of the class.
On the first day,after roll call and before I hand out the class material, I introduce myself and give them my background and related experience to the class. Then I'll ask each student to introduce themselves, what brought them to this school, what courses they are taking and what they will do after graduation. Most of my students are 1 (3 weeks) phase from graduating.
Luz, This is something that I've been doing for years and I too have seen it bring a class closer together often turning them into a team that wants to help each other learn and succeed.
After introducing myself, I like to ask a few informal questions that they answer by show of hands. I'll reply with something comical about myself to show that I'm human and although we are here to learn, we can have a little fun along the way.
Richard-
I really like this structure. Having them list five positive attributes of themselves is enough to make them really think about it--and then identifying attributes of their peers brings it home. Great idea!
Susan
