I learned that the first day in class I should cover the syllabus and policies. By the end of the class the students should have a sense of where they are going and how they will get there, no strangers in the class, an awareness that I care about their learning, and that the course will be of value and enjoyable.
Introduce yourself and have students introduce themselves as well so you can associate their names with their experiences.
I really appreciate seeing how important it is to connect with students on a human level and learn things about them to strengthen connections
I struggle with remembering names, so the tips on how to do so, and the importance of doing so, were very valuable.
I try and learn each student's name the first day.
Introduce myself and tell a little about my background and career path. Then have the class introduce themselves and share something about their goals and reason for entering nursing. Have them put their names on a card and make a tent so I can learn their names more easily.
It is helpful to learn a little bit about everyone and make sure they are familiar with each other
Give them background information about yourself so you seem more human to the students.
Introductions of student to student are just as important as instructor to student. This will help everyone become more comfortable with one another so you can dive the course.
Introduce yourself to your students, share experiences and your background as well. Ensure that the classroom experience will be an interesting journey.
When meeting the class for the first time it is important to let them know who you are and that you are approachable and human, even if you come from a different planet. Let them know what is expected and that you are there to help and guide them. They are probably more nervous than you so put them at ease and let them know what is expected of them. Have Fun.
I've learned that you need to be personable, get to know each student. Try to learn each students name, and give the students some information about you and your experiences in the trade.
Allow students clarity of the course, and understanding of their instructor.
I believe getting to know students, as well as allowing them to get to know one another is a great way to get everyone in a more comfortable state, and one that allows them to feel at ease asking questions and participating, which is what it is about for me as an educator.
Students should come away from the first class with a sense of comfort about their ability to succeed in the class and should see how the class will help their career.
Students will have a better understanding of requirements and results needed to succeed in their filed if expectations are outlined from the first time meeting the class.
Building community and setting expectations is important part of teaching. Students need to feel a sense of belonging in the classroom. This will allow them to take risks and learn from mistakes. Relations building should be a priority for all teachers.
Be relatable to your students
An introduction that outlines your experience in the field, but also humanizes you, is important to set a tone. Pretesting can be useful to gauge students existing knowledge on the course content.
Remember, the first day sets the tone for the rest of the course, so keep it engaging, positive, and informative. This will help students feel excited about the subject and ready to get started!
