Student Names
Know who your students are is extremely important. The students need to know that we know who they are by name and by other features. "How your daughter?" is a connecting comment when the student was worried about a sick child on the previous class period. Understanding where each student is within the objectives of the course is even more important.
Lidia,
Something as simple as learning and remembering their names builds a life long connection with that student. To me this is very powerful and a reason that I am a teacher. I like knowing that in some small way I have been able to impact the life of one of my students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that learning student names is important it is like opening a door of communication between student and instructor. Initially, the student is surprised when you remember their name but you know you have taken interest in building a bond between the student not only for the module but for the time that they may be in the school.
To learn student names in my class; I have them pick there seat in class and do I seating chart. This works great for me.
Hi Jane,
I like it! It isn't very long before everyone in the class has every name down. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
One thing I have learned is that on the first day of class I am not the only one who has 30 names to learn. On the second day of class instead of taking roll the traditional way I stand by each student and ask "who is this"? So everyone in the class (including me!!) gets practice learning each other's names.
That is a great idea! I've seen the name tents used, but never with basic pictures that are meaningful to the students. I will definitely be using this in the future, since it usually takes me a few class meetings to master names. Hopefully this will speed my process along.
Thanks for the tip!
I make sure my own name is on the board every morning and tell new students to not worry if they forget my name, just look on the board. I try to create a no embarrassment type of environment which starts with simple things like teacher and students remembering names and carries over into the class, in general. This reduces anxiety both in terms of learning names and for the students learning the material.
I agree this is important - this is by far and away my number one challenge. Remembering names is at times so difficult for me that it sometimes creates anxiety. Any suggestions for how to master this skill?
Arlene:
I think it is also important to help foster your student's ability to learn each other's names to begin building community. If you can have them pair up early on to present something the other worked on, then you get to hear them say the person's name multiple times. This helps me learn the names and their fellow students.
Hi Richard,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us. As a veteran instructor you know well how important learning student names quickly is to the overall development of the class.
Gary
I agree about knowing all the student's names,I have aroubd 30 student's each course so I make a chart on a large blank paper I draw the tables and one at a time I take there name badge and put there name at there seat this lets me see the chart daily and get a chance to speak to each student and acknowledge him or her.And when I pass out papers or tests I can check my seating chart to see who they are. It helps me to learn there name much quicker.
It is always a good idea to call on every student by name when ever possible, now I do know that some times it is extremely difficult to do so but you will be surprised by the students reaction when he acknowledges the fact that you actually know his or her name .
Hi Art,
The key is to show the students that you are trying hard to learn their names and something about them. As you said by them knowing you are working hard at learning their names they are understanding when it takes a while.
Gary
I have two classes of 48 students each, and of course they don't like to sit in the same seat every time. So it is a real challenge for me. However, I'm up front with them about it, tell them that I have nearly 100 students and that it will take me some time to learn all their names. The students understand that and appreciate the candor, and over the course of the first month or so I learn more and more of their names until I know them all.
The seating chart helps as does just sitting with the students in small groups be it in lab or the classroom, this seems to make you more approachable as well
Learning students names sets a comfort level in class. When you call a student by his or her name to help with an activity they seem more willing and excited to assist you. Learning names is a must.
Knowing the students names is one of the most important issues we as instructors have to meet.
By knowint the students name we connect on many levels. He or she feels more at ease with the instructor and will the instructor is more approchable. This must be done in the first few hours of a class so that a report can be established with the student right away.
I agree. When a student has been out ill, I like to approach them when they return and ask how they are. I get very grateful responses when I inquire personally.
To know the students names is good idea to build a relationship between the Instructor and the students.The students feel happy when you know their names from first day.
