Learning Names
Techniques for learning names on the first day?
I agree and a seating chart helps too.
Hi Amy,
Good strategy and it lets them determine their own location which reduces complaining about being treated as high schoolers.
Gary
I usually ask that my class chooses a seat on the first day and keeps the same seat for the first week, except for during group work exercises, because it really helps me with learning their names faster, especially in a large class.
I use a sign in sheet to help me remember who is who.
Hi Melissa,
Good point about the need to learn student names quickly. Even though it is work the pay off is well worth the effort. Knowing their names lays the foundation for the development of respect and rapport.
Gary
After I introduce myself and give a little information of my background I like to have the students do the same. I try to prompt info as to their spouse, children, current job and what their end goal and career will be. I try to have first names down no later than the 2nd class. Your name is part of your identity and I think knowing the students names from the begining lets them understand that I know who they are and I care about them as individuals.
Hi Kristen,
Good way to start a class and get everyone settled into the course. This way everyone will have the names of their classmates down from the very beginning of the course.
Gary
Hi Donella,
Do an icebreaker that has you and students using each others names. Also, look for something, like an interesting fact you can associate with each students and you will learn their names quickly.
Gary
I have each student interview their neighbor and then they have to introduce their neighbor to the rest of the class. After they say this is "Kristy" and tell the class info about her, the class will then repeat each student's names thats been introduced. So we go through the line of students after every one. It takes some time, but I found it to be very effective for helping not only me, but my students learn names.
