Student Engagement 101: The Power of Using a Learner's Name
One of our recent bloggers commented on the importance of learning students' names on the first day of class. It reminded me that even the simplest of techniques utilized by instructors can make such big differences and create lasting impressions with students. Our names in themselves are powerful entities that create identity and recognition. When an instructor learns and uses a student's name in a positive manner, it demonstrates to the student that he or she matters. Names are comprehensive representations of who we are, and a simple effort made to learn and use them adds a personal touch to our learning environments.
Hi Heather, Bryan and Daneen! Thnaks so much for your comments!
Our names are so much of our identity and a conduit to connectivity. For me, to help with remembering names (because I am, honestly, quite awful at it), I try to make a conscientious effort to rememeber the name and associate it with the face right from the very beginning - and then, each time I see the person, even when not greeting, remember what their name is.
I completely agree. In my classroom, I make sure that I know every one of my students names by the end of the second day of class. Calling the students by their names shows that you understand them as people, and not just a face in your classroom. I also think that it is imperative that we connect with our students by making sure we know by the first day how to pronounce their names correctly.
I think that it is very important to remember a students name. they are a human being with a life and a name and should be repected and should have there name remembered by the second day. I try to say the students names as often as i can
Hi Jay! I completely agree! Very well said. The simple task of learning and remember a student's name can go a long way. Do you have any special techniques you use to remember each student's name?
