What's in a name?
One of the most important things I think I do is learn the names of all my students. Even when students' names are hard to pronounce, I make the effort to say it correctly because a person's name is the sweetest sound to them. At the beginning of a new class I promise them that I will learn their all their names and I keep that promise. I make plenty of mistakes along the way and I always apologize, let students laugh at me, and keep trying. Eventually I get it right and often the whole class will cheer when I do. One of the reasons learning students' names is important is the obvious reason that each student will know you care about them. But what is also important to realize is that the process of me learning about them allows them to see how the process of learning occurs for me. It allows me to show them that it's okay to make mistakes and it makes me "human" (without having to involve them in my personal life). It sets the stage for them to be okay with making mistakes and for a safe learning environment. My goal in teaching a class is not only to relay the subject matter of the course. It's also develop and nuture a group dynamic that accelerates learning. By being able to immediate say a student's name I can subtly build trust or quell a disruption. Names are valuable. It's the most important word to the person who owns it and it has a lot of meaning for the student. So why wouldn't I want to have that connection? A student's name is just one more access point to their brain; one more way to teach them what I want them to remember, and one less obstacle that might get in the way of their success.
I totally agree with you. For students who have self-confidence already, you have re-enforced that security and gained their respect on that level. If a student is quiet, unsure, and apprehensive, your knowing their name says that you are interested in "even me".
I need to emphasize that learning names is a real challenge for me. Memorization does NOT work. I hope that the students sit in the same place each class, but I don't assign seats. So, I pay particular attention to students and their names when I hand back weekly quizzes and tests. I also need to attach to each student some personal story, fact, anecdote, comment, etc. This is hard work, but it reminds me how difficult it is for some students to capture a math concept and how I can help them do that.
Hi Charles,
I like how you use the analogy! Everything is in one's name. There is nothing more special than for someone to refer to you by name. A lot of instructors use name tents the first couple of weeks to help with name memory.
Paatricia
I have difficulty learning names. I tell the students that I will learn their names and I that want no leniency in correctly pronouncing their names.
I suggest to the students that learning names is analogous to learning mathematics (the subject of my courses). I tell them some of my strategies so that they have some strategies to choose when trying to learn mathematics. For example: write things down, organize notes, highlight difficult items, attach anecdotes to items.
Patricia, do you have any specific ways you use to remember names? I am not very good at it, I have to admit. If someone stands out to me right away, I have a tendency to remember them from that point on.
Cindy
They feel like they matter whenever you can call them by their name. This builds a strong connection with the student because it is now personal.
Hi Cindy,
Students really do feel a sense of importance whenever the instructor knows their name. I make it a point to learn my student names on the first day. They become really impressed by me knowing them by name on the very first day.
Patricia
I agree remembering students' names is very important. It's kind of become one of my ice breakers, and something I make a "game" out of and involve my students. When I'm handing work back, especially in the beginning of the term, I don't let them give me hints or show me their name tags. I associated certain things with the person and their name so I can remember them. The class cheers me on when I get it right, and laughs along with me when I make a mistake.
Hi Zack,
Most students will let you know when you mispronounce their name. Some students are nice about letting you know of the mispronounciation and other students will get an attitude. I like to phonectically spell hard to pronounce names.
Patricia
That's a great response! Names are very important because it makes the students feel welcomed and it shows that you care as an instrucor. I always tell my students before I call attendance that I will make mistakes and to please correct me, because I will correct them if they screw up my name. I usually get a funny response when I say that.
Hi Richard,
Nicely repsonded to! Students need to know that they are important. To show them that they are important learn and address them by their name. Students are amazed and are grateful when they are addressed by their unique identity. The feel like they matter whenever you can call them by their name.
Patricia
