Remembering Student's Names
I always strive to know the names of my students by the end of the first class. To help with this, I ask each student to introduce themself and their major. Next, I ask them to assemble in groups of four. I ask them to choose a team name and a team leader. I then ask the team leader to submit their team name and the members of the team. I then ask them to introduce their group name and the names of the members of their group. I have a secondary reinforcement of their names followed by their seating and proximity to the group. The names on the group sheets allow me to quickly find a student's name by knowing the other three through process of elimination. The students always are surprised when I can address them by name during that first meeting. Due to the group setting, students will sit together next class. Again, the placement reinforces my memory through same seat each class.
I do everything I can to remember the student's names because I can see the impact it makes on how they receive the instruction. Sometimes there is no sweeter sound that the sound of your own name by someone who care about you and where you are going.
I think showing a deep enough interest in students and who they are will spur an interest in the class and in the material presented. Many times individuality is the reason a student would prefer a career college in comparison to a traditional type of university. They feel the need to be addressed personally and not just through a number system is important to their success. In my opinion, it is the instructors reposnsibility to do just that, reinforce it at every instance.
Hi Joyce,
Writing information donw tends to stick better to one's memory. I am just real good at remembering names. I do not do anything in paticular to help with name memory.
Patricia
I am a Clinic Supervisor in my school and I try really hard to remember each student's name. I write their name down and as I observe each student I can then remember their names.
Hi Roady,
What type of pointers did you learn from your Dale Carnegie course that helps you with memorizing names.
Patricia
I like the idea of the name tents. Also, you can give them time to "customize" them by drawing on them or with stickers and it can reveal things about their personality.
Roady,
I am usually good at remembering names thanks to my old Dale Carnegie training, but sometimes I find by the end of the first class, I didn't complete this important task. During subsequent class sessions I find that I struggle to regain my normal composure because the lack of name recall is a constant irritant until I make an effort to correct the oversight. Joe
HI,
I like that idea. I will try that one. It is always a good idea to remember the students' name as soon as possible, especially after the second meet.
Excellent idea. Will try it
Thank You.
Geraldine Haslett
Hi Jeannie,
Students really feel a sense of importance whenever you can refer to them by their name.
Patricia
Hi, i agree you need to learn each students name by the end of the day. Thank you Jeannie
I like using the game where each student gets to tell three amazing things about themselves and one of them is a lie. The rest of the class has to see if they can figure out which one is the lie. In an effort to try and hide the lie students will often tell you some really crazy things about themselves that they might not normally share. Having something out of ordinary makes it so much easier to remember a students name(and something to start a conversation with that student).
I have an instructor who has each student tell some unbelievable facts about themselves. This fact sticks out in the instructors mind, so it helps her remember the names.
We do something very simple.All of our students have a name tag.Every day we line them up and check them (uniform) and call them by their first name. After 2 days we know each of them
I like to hear about their favorite kind of car. Robert.
Does anyone object to having 3/5 name cards, that the students fill out, sitting in front of each student for the first week. This can really help a teacher with a large class.
Hi Jeanette,
This is a vey helpful practice. I call these name tents.
Patricia
Hi Benetta,
What do you currently do to remember student names?
Patricia
I believe that it is so important to learn a student's name as quickly as possible because it immediately helps the student to understand that they are an individual to the intructor, not a number or a face in the crowd. I handout a piece of cardstock paper as soon as class begins. I ask the students to fold the paper in half lengthwise and write their name, first and last, in big letters. These are placed in front of the students. During the remainder of class, I ask questions and call on the students using their first and last name. By the end of class, I usually have all names memorized. I will test myself at the end of class by addressing each student by name, I usually get a round of applause.....
I like both ideals , using groups to help remember students names. I'm not sure which example I will use next term. I just know that I will try one.
