Besides name tages, are there any games or activities you would recommend to assist with learning names? Some of the students I have in the class have very unique-to-me names, and I have had difficulty in remembering the correct pronounciation.
Hi Nancy,
Students really like being addressed by their courtesy title and last name. It is a sense of respect, and it is well received by students.
Patricia
I teach verbal communications. I play a series of icebreakers. The key is to do them very fast to get the energy up in the room. Before I begin I tell them we will be doing things a bit different this class and some of it won't make sense but that the exercises are designed to create better communication. After warmup I put them in a circle and play an "Alliteration Name Game" with them where they say thier name with an alliterative adjective and also add a movement. We have to repeat the other person's info then add our own. Everyone then repeats add ons until everyone has gone. After we finish, I have them mix up the circle and then I go up individually to each person and shake thier hand and welcome them to the class. The next day I play another quick game to see if they have remembered names. This Name game exercise helps me
1. Remember their names
2. Gives me instant respect as I can now see them individually
3. Helps students remember each other bonding the class quicker
4. Gives me a chance to lecture about how to remember names and why it is so important in the industry.
I continue to reinforce them getting to know each other with other exercises so that they learn to become a team. I realize this might be difficult for other classes to do but feel it essential for teambuilding and as my class comes during first term, it instantly creates a bond.
Hi Josh,
Super! What a great way to connect with your students.
Patricia
Hi Santiago,
Keep trying! You are at least working toward a goal. Students want their instructor to learn their names.
Patricia
Hi Todd,
I've seen some instructors use the self-adhesive name tags for a week to learn student names. Each day the student is give a new name tag if there is a need.
Patricia
Hi Frances,
I certainly understand your challenging in learning your student names. Most instuctors have challenges learning common American names, not to mention foregin names.
Patricia
I usually have student names learned by the 2nd or 3rd day. I also call them Mr. and Ms. to show them a level of respect. I feel like it is only fair, if they have to call me Ms. Hales, that I use a proper title with them as well. I have had good results with that approach.
I agree. I not only try to remember the students names ASAP At the conclusion of every class I stand by the front door and shake each students hand and say good bye by name. I think it helps on many levels including retention.
I try to learn my students name by Thursday of the first week. By doing so, I feel that I make them feel important. That helps lower the learning barrier and the students become more engaged.
You can also use "personalized" name badges for a few classes to get the names down. I also use the class roster and an introduction session to get used to the names. Most people have a tendency to sit in the same places.
Hi Marina, I also work with many foreign students. I will write out the pronounciation of their names or nickname in my gradebook and use that versus my attendance sheet for several weeks until I have them committed to memory.
Hi Toni,
In the virtual environment it is imperative to promote a personal touch in every way possible. You do not get to see the students face to face.
Patricia
Absolutely! When I am in the virtual environment, I make it a point in discussion board and emails to personalize by addressing the students by name.
Hi Barbara,
Today's generation comes with a different set of names. I've even found that some names are not pronounced like they are spelled. I like the idea of getting additional information to help remember student names.
Patricia
Some of the students have very different and interesting names, that are hard for me to remember. So I have found that I need to take my roster and put pronumciation marks on the first night of class. Sometimes I ask the student if they know anything about their name, I find it is easier to remember that student with a little more information.
Hi Scott,
I first introduce myself and tell things about me, and the students normally follow suit.
Patricia
Hi Daine,
At least you make it a point--meaning it is important to you, which it is important. It sounds like you have many names to learn too. I am sure you understand how much it means to a student to know their name. You've been teaching for a long time.
Patricia
I agree. In my 23 years of teaching, I have always made it a point to learn my students' names by the second week of the quarter. I give myself that much time because of the number of students that I have. I usually find that I know the names sooner.
This is a tough balance to strike, however. My experience that students dread (or, at least, have a roll-their-eyes attitude toward) the first day of class "introduce yourself and tell us some things about you" exercise.
How do you make it engaging?
