Photo courtesy of hoyasmeg
The first five to ten minutes of your class is the most important time period of the entire day. Is is during this time interval that you welcome the students, create a safe environment for learning, establish your credibility, manage any potential problems (like the class being above or below a student’s ability), draw the road map for class and set any rules or expectations (like returning back from break on time). Some trainers like to treat the beginning of their training class like a party by sending out invitations ahead of time and/or beginning the class with chit-chat, greetings and introductions. This is a nice way to put students at ease and help them to get to know each other.
In the past, I have begun to build rapport students even before the class started by sending a welcoming e-mail a few days in advance. This message can prepare the learning environment, layout any ground rules and avoid certain class management issues.
I always plaster a large sheet of paper with the agenda for the class on the wall and check off the items on the agenda as they are covered (a whiteboard can also be used if you will not be using it during the class). Seeing the agenda right off the bat helps students to determine if the class is in synch with their ability level or if the class will cover the topics that the student expects will be covered. In this way, displaying a class agenda is another way of diffusing any potential problems. One thing to keep in mind regarding agendas – never put times on your agenda – there will no doubt be students who are clock-watchers and will be constantly focused on whether you are on track or not with your agenda. Falling behind on your own time schedule can also make you appear unorganized.
Once you have established rapport, set the students’ expectations and diffused any potential problems that could occur, your students are now receptive to what you have to teach them.
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