Getting to know the students is just as important as the students getting to know each other.
It is good to get to know something about your students, and tell them a little bit about yourself.
I like the idea of standing at the doorway at the beginning of class and welcoming the students in. Study guides will help provide students a roadmap of what will be covered. Some "getting to know you" time will help to ease anxiety and aid students in getting familiar with one another.
Make the students feel comfortable by introducing yourself but also giving just some small background information about yourself.
It's important to introduce yourself and tell your students about your background in the field but also think about information that might make you relatable to them so they not only see you as an instructor but also a person.
The first day will set the tone for the term. Allowing students to feel comfortable will help their learning as they progress. Make sure to learn the names and correct nicknames the student prefers to be called.
I would like to explain to them my diverse background of different careers. This may help some students relate or open up to me in the future.
The first day of class needs to be interactive. Get to know students and allow them to get to know each other. Facilitate those opportuntities for them to connect.
Sharing information about yourself is just as important as the students sharing information about themselves. Opening the floor to the feeling of being known by name generates teacher-student respect.
Set the tone early, that will dictate and predicate how the rest of the classes go.
Effective Teaching Strategies: Meeting the Class for the First Time
Meeting a class for the first time sets the tone for the entire course. What I’ve learned is that the initial interaction is crucial in establishing rapport, setting expectations, and creating a positive learning environment. First impressions can shape the way students perceive both the course and the instructor. Introducing yourself in a way that reflects your passion for the subject and your commitment to student success helps build trust and encourages engagement from the very beginning.
To apply this, I plan to start each course by clearly communicating course goals, expectations, and grading policies, while emphasizing the resources available for student support. I will also engage students in an introductory activity to learn more about their backgrounds, interests, and concerns, fostering a sense of community. Encouraging an open dialogue from the start will allow students to feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their needs. Establishing a welcoming and inclusive environment is key to helping students feel invested in the course and confident in their ability to succeed.
I like the recommendation of a brief introduction but letting the students know something personal so they can relate as a human. I am also terrible with names but allowing the opportunity for students to say their name and something about them can definitely help, especially in a smaller setting.
Introductions are important. It provides comfort to the students, and it will provide a small background for the instructor.
In concluding the first class, students should: 1) have a sense of what they are doing, 2) have a feeling that the other students are not strangers, 3) know that you, as the instructor, care about their learning experience, and 4) have a good idea about what is expected of them in the course.
Conducting an "Icebreaker" exercise can be beneficial, not only for the instructor, but for the students as well.
I believe the first day is important because it set the tone for your class. Keeping in mind that while we are getting to know each other on personal level the instructor must keep it professional.
Meet the students as they come to class, do a meet and greet so everyone knows about you, be sure to be honest as to what will be expected from them.
I learned the importance of getting to know your students.
An effective teaching strategy is getting the class to know and grow comfortable with one another. Everyone introducing themselves, teacher included help ease the comfortability of meeting each other. After classmates meet each other, doing activities to grow comfortable with group activities and class interactions helps people feel that they are in a nice teaching space.
Comment on abegaille midoro's post: Once the student is aware of your expertiese and comfort with the course material they can feel a relief that what they can say to themselves "learning is on me!" Get to study and learn this material.
