Having a checklist of points to cover is helpful for two reasons: it ensures you cover everything, and if you don't finish, you can easily pick up where you left off in the next class. This flexibility means you won't have to rush through items at the end if an activity takes longer than expected.
The introduction to the class sets the stage for the for what is to come. There is a lot of information that needs to be sent and received at this point and should be well planned out. Being prepared will make this process less stressful, sharing your background and experience in the field lets them know what you have accomplished. Also, explain the road it took to get there, let them know you started exactly where the are now.
Introduce yourself to your students with confidence and professionalism. Welcome the students into your class and provide them with a sense of of belonging, allowing them to get to know each other and you. This can help break down any barriers and help them understand what they will learn and accomplish in your class. Your syllabus will be their guide and they will know what to expect and the timelines they will have to start and complete their work. This will encourage them to become proactive learners and doers. This can help guide them through their education and into their career with self-confidence
Showing an openness to learn about the students will hopefully encourage them to be willing to learn from me!
What I learned is that the most important things to do is building a personal connection fast. Learn names, share backgrounds, encourage student introductions. Then establishing classroom culture. Clarifying expectations early on for participation, assignments, grading, and behaviour. To give an exciting course overview, and set the tone for professionalism and integrity. There was so much that I learned and it gave me a great starting point on how to start my next semester.
I intend to create an environment that the students will have a sense of belonging, a sense of comfort about their ability to succeed in the course. I believe that such support system will help most students to continue progress toward their career goals.
It shows that preparing for the first class not only benefits the instructor but also the students. I makes them more open to the course materials and the path they will be taking with those materials to achieve their goals.
I learnt that the first class really sets the tone for the rest of the semester it's important to start building a sense of community early.
Providing students with a sense of where they're going and how they'll get there is a great outcome for the first class with a new group!
Getting to know your students and allowing them to get to know you, creates a safe and welcoming environment where the students feel comfortable and will allow for more open discussions and learning
Tell the students about yourself to make a good impression.
One of my favorite parts of this was actually the video with the instructor that said something along the lines of, "I don't want to know anything you learned the night before. I want to know what came to you as we discussed this during class." I feel like that is very indicative of effective, engaged learning - being in the moment and responding to what is being discussed at the time.
Getting to know your students, and allowing them to also get to know me as an their instructor creates a learning environment of trust.
Introductions are very important and remembering their names. How to motivate students and describing the expectations of not only students but also of yourself as a teacher.
One lesson I am taking away is just ensuring that I am on time for my class. Also, taking the time to get to know everyone's name while also engaging each other to help the peers in getting to know each other.
Main thing I learned is arrive early and be prepared. That first impression is so important and sets the tone for the class.
4-things for the first day:
where going and how get there.
other members of the class are not strangers.
demonstrated care about their learning.
relevancy and enjoyabililty of the course
Introductions are fun for both me and the students. Sometimes even if students have been in other classes before, they may not know that another student lives in the same town or drives the same car.
Introductions are a key step in getting to know your students, fostering mutual respect, and building strong rapport from the start.
