Meeting the Class for the First Time | Origin: ED101
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Effective Teaching Strategies --> Meeting the Class for the First Time
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
The importance of building a rapport with the students, while also maintaining a boundary, is incredibly important
One key thing to consider is setting a welcoming, respectful tone from the start—because students decide quickly whether they feel safe, seen, and willing to engage. First impressions shape classroom culture and build the trust needed for effective learning.
The importance of the introduction. The need to get to know the students.
The first day of class isn't just a matter of checking off things on a list or rushing through a lengthy course intro. Whilst the course does need to be gone over along with its requirements and expectations and your list does need to exist, it is also important to set a proper learning atmosphere.
Give brief introduction of yourself,get to know your students,and welcome students with a smile to make them feel comfortable and welcomed.
This module helped me understand how important the first day of class is in establishing a positive and trusting environment. One key strategy is how we choose to interact with students from the start. Taking time to introduce ourselves—not just by sharing our professional background, but also a little about our personal lives—can make us more relatable and approachable.
I also learned that creating structured activities on the first day can help students get to know each other, which builds a sense of community that can benefit the entire course. These early efforts contribute to a classroom culture where students feel comfortable engaging, participating, and supporting one another.
Setting this tone early makes a significant difference in how students experience and connect with the course moving forward.
In the first class it is important to provide an overview of the course following the introductions to each other. The overview and expectations will help the students feel they know where they are headed in the course.
First impressions are lasting impressions. Introducing yourself to the classroom is and should be first and foremost. This gives you a chance to establish yourself as the authority in the class sharing with them your experience and credentials to officiate instruction. If problems should arise you are a person that they can come to when dust settles (trust) and a person of high integrity (conscious effort to do the right thing even when no one is looking). The opportunity to meet your students is nevertheless of equal importance after all they are paying the bills to continue our profession. Learning their names and pronunciations is equally important. It also gives a chance for them to meet each other formally.
Introducing yourself to your students help make them feel more comfortable and a better classroom environment for which to have open discussions and questions.
Getting to learn about your students and them getting to learn about you can help to get on a friendly more personnel level and show that your all human, making for a more comfortable feeling in class.
A great opportunity to get to now students and for them to get to know me.
I learned that taking the time for introductions does so much more than just learn each others names. It can set the stage for the success of the class by being genuine with the students.
Introductions are important!
First impressions are made positive by taking part in activities that include greeting students by the door and smiling.
As an instructor it is imparitive to ensure that the class is getting to know you as well as their classmates, this will allow them to calm down and feel more at ease on the first day of class.
It's essential to set expectations at the start of class and it's also important to learn the student's names.
Take the time to get to know your students. Share a bit about your life, career, and goals, and express your enthusiasm for teaching. Encourage them to introduce themselves to the class and make sure to learn their names. Knowing their names demonstrates that you care and that they are valued.
During the first meeting, it is helpful to create a positive and engaging environment using strategies such as administering a short pre-test to assess students’ knowledge, providing tension-relieving activities to help students get to know each other, and beginning to learn their names to create a personal connection. Encouraging group exercises promotes collaboration, and providing opportunities for students to interact helps create a sense of community. These actions set the tone for a collaborative and supportive learning experience.
Remember, the three M’s of modeling, managing, and motivating will be of great assistance to you and the class on this first day.
