How about having them introduce themselves to the other members of the class.
One thing that I do in all of my design classes is to have students do a brief intro of themselves and bring in some examples of their own design related freelance work or hobbies. All of my fashion design students usually have some particular area of design that they love to work on in their free time(example: one of my students was a fashion major but she also loved to do photography).What often happens is that even the shy students open up once they start talking about their own work/design ideas. This inspires and stimulates the rest of the class and they start communicating more with each other. Also it allows me as the instructor to use this information as a preview to lectures about networking , niche markets , etc. Students become interested in the class as well as each other , by respecting each others talents an creativity . This builds morale.
Hello George,
What a great icebreaker and bonding period to have students introduce themselves. It is amazing the commonality you find from this practice. I have noticed the students tend to relate better and quicker to each other after having the introductions. What type of advantages have you noticed from having students introduce themselves?
Patricia
Hello Karen,
What a great icebreaker and bonding period to have students introduce themselves. It is amazing the commonality you find from this practice. I have noticed the students tend to relate better and quicker to each other after having the introductions.
Students love seeing examples, especially your visual learners.
Patricia
On a daily bases at the beginning of each class I take a few minutes and ask if there are any questions on anything we have done, any comments, and anything they want to discuss in general. Most of the time I get little response, however I believe I have set the stage that I am approachable. Most feedback comes to me at breaks and after class by individuals. It is hard to measure but I feel morale in my class benefits from my effort.
Hi Bernie,
What a good way to get the class started. Students love knowing that an instructor is approachable. I am sure morale in your class does benefit from your GREAT effort.
Patricia
It is amazing how many fun and interesting icebreakers are on the internet. I particularly enjoy the problem solving ice breakers as the students must work as a team and fully interact with one another to "solve" their dilemma.
Usually, on the first day of class I have the students team up and "interview" each other. I offer a few ideas at the onset e.g. favorite vacation, most embarrassing moment, etc. and then after a set time period, the students introduce each other to the rest of the class. It seems to lower the anxiety level when they do not have to talk about themselves.
Hello Laurie,
The internet is awesome when it comes to education! The anxiety level is lowered whenever a student can talk about another student. I've tried this activity as well and students love it.
Patricia
I have used that approach before and it is a great ice-breaker! They pair with the person in front of/back of them and "interview" each other for about 5 minutes each. I have questions prepared- your name, why you chose this course, something personal that can be shared like having a family, pet, their hobby if they would like to disclose it, AND, they can make their own questions. It has always gone over the time limit (my secret plan) and then they introduce their "new" classmate. I didn't try it with this new program I am teaching because my class is very small, but I will consider using it when I get a new cohort next year.
Hi Janice,
This particular ice-breaker always seems to work and students really enjoy it, and actually I enjoy it as well.
Patricia
To improve overall class morale, I usually give a general positive evaluation for the class. This I do after a couple of weeks meeting them. I try to tell them that they are so far on the right track or sometimes I tell them how I appreciate their focus on their goals and the respect they show not only to me but to each other as well.
I am terrible with names, specially if it is a big class- like maybe 30 in a class.
Since I teach computer application, I give them daily documents and projects. I make sure I give back these projects the next day and I call each one to get their own paper.
This helps me memorize the names quicker.
Hi Teresita,
I am super with names, it doesn't matter if the class is small or large. What a great tactic you use to memorize your students' names. I make it a point on Day 1 to memorize all of my students names. You immediately gain a feather in the hat by memorizing your students' names quickly.
Patricia
Hello Teresita,
It is important to have great class morale. Students enjoy hearing positive things from the instructor. What a great strategy to use to bond with your students.
Patricia
You know I've fond just a little self-depreciating humor can relax a class. It has to be appropriate and should not be overdone, but it can relax a group. ("I am impressed with the courses I've seen you take. You folks will do well, which I'm glad to see. Teaching's fun, but you don't get rich in it! Anyway, let's see how this class knowledge can help you get to your goals.")
Sometimes after the first big project or test I find them more comfortable becuase they know what to expect and start pulling together to get through the course. But a pretest can even do the same thing and lets them feel readier for the material. Individual positive feedback, like "good question!", or "wow, you're ahead of us on this topic" can help as well, though you have to be careful to pull out into the discussion the quiet ones who may be confused.
Hello Richard,
Humor is good therapy! You know the old adage still holds true today, "All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy."
I like the idea of a pretest as well. I like giving my students pretests. I have also given my students "Smarties" which are candy. I give out the "Smarties" right before giving out the tests. Students chuckle at the gesture!
Patricia
Just something to go along with the Smarties comment made earlier. I went to a conference once where the speaker actually did a research project that proved giving a piece of chocolate to a class right before an exam produces better test scores? I wasn't sure about this one myself, but she had the data to prove it!
Response to Patricia, I like the idea of evaluation forms. It assists instructors in gaining the knowledge to what has occurred in class and how to make it better. Ultimately isn't that what we want; to have a terrific learning environment. I always want to be the instructor students want to sign up for classes with. I let students know that I care about their welfare while teaching them something new. It helps to build a rapport and a great support system. Sharon
One thing that Instructors should do is constantly reinforce the important step students took by joining the class, or further by studying a career. By explaining them this point, students realize that if there is commitment, tangible goals can be achieved. Therefore morale and self esteem grows within the class.
Hello Marcelo,
Students must understand that they need to be fully committed in order to reach that tangible goal. There is nothing more beautiful than having a class of students with high morale and self esteem. I love the energy level and excitement.
Patricia
