It's important to share a little bit about me. Cohorts already know each other, and a new instructor might be seen as "the intruder" in the group. Sharing will ease their nerves and create a bond.
First impression matter. Take the time to inform the students about who you are and seek to learn who they are.
Tell students about yourself and have them share something about them. By sharing information it gives the teacher an opportunity to get to know the students and students become more comfortable in the class.
There are several things that need to be addressed before/during the first class, including adequate preparation for all aspects of the class, rehearsing the first-day agenda, having a proper syllabus to inform the students of the course, and creating an exercise to put the students at ease and on the right track.
By the end of their first class with the instructor, students should feel a sense of security in their path towards success in the course.
Comment on Alexander Nieves's post:
I appreciate your comment on creating an environment that we would have enjoyed when we were students. It is so true that teachers who remember themselves as students tend to do better.
On the first day of class, it is natural for students and instructors to have a mixture of feelings ranging from anxiety to excitement. One key goal is to create a comfortable learning environment. By assuring students that their success is my highest goal, that I have a plan for helping them to succeed, and that we will have a good time together, I can begin the learning process with a positive attitude.
It is important to learn the students names and something about them. This is also a great way to open up the classroom making everyone feel welcome.
First impression is everything. Get to know your students to make the course run smooth.
That it's important to learn each student's name
Remember you are a human as well, meaning try to create a sense of comfort / community in your classroom, the way you wanted your teachers to create when you were the student. Learn names, share things about yourself, talk about why you became a teacher, greet everyone with respect, etc.
Meeting the class for the first time I would do an exercise that allows all of the students to become familiar with me as well as each other. Most likely an exercise where we go around the room and introduce ourselves, why we chose the field we did, and what we enjoy to do in our free time.
It is essential to establish a connection, expectations, and class rules with the students on the first day of class.
It is important to learn you students names and make them feel at ease, that you are there to help them learn.
The students will feel more comfortable if you try to know who they are.
The first impression on the class arrive early and greet the students with a nice facial expression entering your class
In my opinion, the first impression, the motivation and the preparation of the instructor in the subject, are the key to a good class. Being able to hold students' attention is challenging and the instructor's histrionic personality is often helpful. The teacher's mood during class can vary. We must be prepared to use external resources when our mood is not appropriate for a good delivery.
The concept of giving a pretest that first day as part of the introduction.
It helps students get to know each other and the instructor
