Get Your Students Hired
You're right, Rich. Unless they are brand new students, your students probably already have formed an impression of you based on the feedback they received from other students. I encourage my faculty to be out and about during breaks to start to build relationships with students they may have at a future date.
Some schools with cohort-based programs make sure the faculty membrs get a chance to meet with the students they will have in an upcoming term well before that term starts. Some have faculty members swap classes for an hour. Others set up an informal social "meet and greet" event. These types of things can really help.
First impressions can often start before you ever meet a student in your class. Students talk about instructors - your reputation precedes you. I believe in making a good first impression and continue to impress the students throughout the course.
I am a utilizer of the "first impression". If I see someone approaching me, I smile and say hello regardsless if they are out of reach or distance. When a student or parent speaks to me, they know that I am friendly and that they can relax and open up to me.
Regards,
Tirrell
Thanks, Alvin. It is important that we make a great first impression. We focus a lot on the students' first few days, which is great. We need to remember that every day is a chance to make a new first impression for that student that day. We never know when something as simple as a kind "hello" will make a difference for a student.
We great the student the first day on campus making sure that we are in proffessional atire and presenting ourselves in a proffessional manor. We have the opportunity to speak to each incoming class and let them know what our committment to them is going to be and set goals at that time. We feel this first meeting sets the tone for the entire time the student is on campus.
You know, LaToya, you made me think of something. This first impression lesson occurs each time we meet students, with every class, not just the first class meeting. We need to remember to make a good first impression everytime. And following up with a question from the last time you saw them or spoke with them is a great point.
I like your approach, Mark. I think we could also say that we are proud of them for having the courage to continue their education. There are a lot of mental barriers to doing this, and they probably have some fears coming in.
I think this is a key point. You have to be there first, and welcome them into the classroom, or the online chat. I have seen so many that arrive late, like the star appearing after the audience is seated. This is not the way to make students feel welcome and cared about I don't think.
I remember during the 70s there was a professor at USC named, Leo Buscalia. He was known as "Dr Hug." He loved to hug his students and he told some great stories. He ended up writing a book on how to motivate students, showed up on NPR giving lectures, and became nationally known. This can be intimidating for some of us, but for him it worked so well he became famous.
I think the best way is to smile, introduce myself, let them know I will help them to succeed. I like to ask them questions. Where do they live? What experience have they had with the subject matter? What questions or concerns do they have with the course or assignments? By asking questions I let them know I care and that they are important. The big step is letting them know I care. Abe Lincoln said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Isaac,
Teachers get a chance to make a good first impression in every class meeting. What are some of the things you do to get each class period off to a strong, positive start?
it is hard because they dont know me that well and I dont know them that well. We do a pre day one meeting and we talk about the upcoming class.
Smile and say hello to everyone. Even if you don't know someone's name or face, everyone likes to be greeted rather than ignored.
I always try and make first eye contact, say hello and ask them how things are going for them. Then I always ask whoever is not present to raise their hand, that usually loosens them up.
I have worked on my ability to make a positive first impression over the years. I try to treat students I don't yet know very directly and fairly and avoid joking around too much, which could be easily misinterpretted. After I get them in class and I've gotten to know them, and they me, then I can work to make our class and interactions more fun, eductaional, and structured.
Jon,
Taking the time to listen might be the most important thing we can do for our students. They need to know we are sincere when we tell them we are here for them.
Agreed. I think as a culture we are so absorbed, we use phatic communication and don't even realize it. Asking "How are you?", "What's new?" or "How are things going?" without really requesting, wanting or expecting an answer. We should remain conscious of this and say Hi or Hello when we're only trying to acknowledge a student and ask questions when we have time to listen.
I'll focus on the student's non-verbal communication and their non-verbal actions. Usually the student is either extremely serious or extremely intraverted. For the serious students I attempt to get the focus back on why they are enrolled and I'll ask specific questions related to their choice of academic programs. I'll attempt to establish their trust in my job knowledge and demonstrate my understanding of the programs so they realize I am serious about their education too and knowledgeable enough to utilize as a source for questions/information. For the intraverts, I tend to foucs on the parent and direct a sense of caring for the student through the parent. For an independent student, focus on the spouse. My experience has taught me that the parent (spouse) and student will discuss their overall expereince on the drive home, and if I can make a positive connection with the parent, the student usually has the same connection becasue they trust their mother/father. I rely on the parent to convey my genuine concern for the student's overall well being.
Thank you, Jon. This is a very good post.
What do you do in those rare times when the dry humor misses with a student?