Getting to know you!

As the teacher, your role is similar to that of the host giving the party. By acting as the host you can ensure that all the guests do their part in a respectful manner. Your first responsibility is to greet your guests, the students, as they enter your class.


The first thing to consider is the actual set-up of the course. The course should appeal to guests. You would clean and decorate your home, so pay attention to the visual aspects and ease of use of your course. This course background is yellow for a reason. (Click here to see why)  Use handwritten fonts when you want a more personal feel.  Add a personal note on your screen content to appear as though you are speaking directly to the students.  Even the type of "ink" you use can make a statement.  Include a section where guests can see any announcements. Post instructions to help them learn their way around. Double-check your transitions and directions so they are smooth. Who wants to accidentally end up in a closet on their way to the bathroom? Learners need to know how to advance through the course in order to reach their objectives.

Icebreakers:

No one likes to go to a party alone. As a host, it is your job to make sure that people connect with others. You need to help them learn about each other and become comfortable sharing their information and thoughts. There are a number of ways to accomplish this.

1. Surveys

Guests may wonder what is expected of them. They may think they don’t fit, especially if they haven’t been to many parties. Giving them an online survey can help them identify their strengths and weaknesses. Asking your guests to share this information, possibly anonymously, can help them see that other guests have similar hopes and fears.

Serious-

Personal Thinking Styles

Personal Learning Styles

The Online Learner
(Click on "Enrolling in Our Courses")

Fun-

Your Medieval Job

What's Your Color?

What's Your Shape?

  

2. Sharing

There are many games that can be used to help guests become more comfortable. One example is to ask guests to share two truths and a lie about themselves and have other guess which one is the falsehood.


Ask guests to tell about a hobby or talent of which they are most proud. Then encourage other guests to ask questions and make comments about what is shared. 

Have guests each choose two nouns about the subject you are studying and respond to each other's choices.


Ask guests to share what they like most about the subject or what they hope to learn in the class.

Make Connections: 

Your guests have come to your party for many different reasons. Some love parties, some want to meet new people, some want to be entertained, some feel obligated, and some didn’t have anything “better” to do. It is the host’s job to identify these reasons and plan the design of the course to address the students’ motivations.


Your class will have tools for you to use, such as email, chat and discussion threads.  With these students are required to respond to questions their instructor has presented. If the instructor does not participate at all, they are like the host who spends the entire party in the kitchen and never mingles with their guests. If the instructor is too active, they are akin to the host who only throws a party so they have an audience. A good host knows that they need to have an active presence while avoiding the spotlight. The host doesn’t answer every question, but refers guests to each other and helps keep the conversation going.