This course should be a prerequisite for instructors before teaching their first class. This course described the importance of establishing a good rapport from the onset. I think the techniques explained in the course could be summarized as the: icebreaker, share, reciprocate, direct, and then lead-instruct. The icebreaker is the first step however, and the manner in which the instructor chooses to make his or her introduction will set the tone for the course at least for the first week. I think that an introduction which includes a brief and interesting story which is also a bit humorous (and truthful) ending with a memorable lesson learned, is a great way to break the ice with a new class. Students can gain a sense about your demeanor, bearing and understanding all from a simple story. After that, allowing students to question you a brief while, prior to asking the students to introduce themselves, is a simple plan for breaking the ice between students and the instructor and between the students as well. I shared as story about a surgery at the start of the last course I instructed for surgical technology. Has anyone else applied personal experiences as part of their ice breakers at the start of a course? Clifton