names
When meeting the class for the first time I find it very difficult sometimes to remember their names especially if I have a large class so I will keep saying their name when i am needing an answer or if the have a question I have them repeat their name and by day 2 I can remember who is who
Mariko,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. The more ideas we can get on how to remember student names the better. Name recall is a challenge but very important for getting a course started off right.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do the same thing in being able to remember the names of new students. Sometimes, I will take attendance and then repeat the names of each student, trying to find something about the student to help me remember their name. Then I continue discussing the class and sometime in the middle of class will stop and try to see how many students I remember correctly and believe it or not, by the end of the class I usually remember all the student's names. Although, as I get older, remembering like this takes more than a few times of going over the names :)
On the first day of class I have the students introduce themselves and tell three quick things about themselves. Then we play a game where each student gets the opportunity to say each person's name and tell one thing they remember about that student. By the time we are done, the students remember each other's names, and I do, too.
Chuck
I like that approach. I think I will also use the 3 x 5 cards too, to get any nicknames they what to be called by and hobbies they have to help me remember their names.
Hugh,
The more of these types of connections you can make the easier it is to remember names. I use a similar system and it really helps me to get the names down as I have rather large classes with a total of about 300 students each phase. A lot of names to remember so I need to use all the methods I can to get them down.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use memory games to remember their names. When I meet the students I relate their name to a famous person or a friend with the same name. It rarely fails me.
Kimberly,
This is a challenge for many instructors. Thanks for sharing your approach. The strategies we have the better we will be able to learn names quicker.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
trying to remember the students names used to be more stressful for me than teaching the class. I want to be able to call students by their name it puts a more personal side to the class. I keep the sign in sheet with me and pay attention when they sign in so I can put the name with the face. It helps when I look at the name to remember who they are. So far this has worked out well for someone who gets introduced to someone, turns around and has already forgotten their name.
John,
Good strategy for remembering student names. I know this strategy will be helpful to other instructors that are looking for ways to remember student names quickly.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I like that approach. Also, meeting them on day 1 getting to know if they like to be called anything (nickname etc). The way I remember is to put a story with each name. A girl named Summer I might picture a sun or her wearing sunglasses; a man named William I might think William Tell or Shakespeare, just until I memorize their names. The more visual and odd the story, the more you'll remember the name.
I always want to know what the student wants to be called with in reason?
Returning papers always helps, especially since most students sit in the same place all the time as a comfort mechanism. So once I get them located to an area, it makes it easier to remember names.
Also, you'll find by returning papers and course work that attaching the name to the face really helps!
Donna,
Good strategy and I appreciate you sharing it with us. The more strategies we have the more we can pick from as learning names is one of the ongoing challenges that instructors have.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
