remebering names
have student sintroduce themselves and let everyone know what they prfer to be called
why they have chosen tihs particular course and what they hop to get out of it
I will try this next quarter!
Hello Carolyn,
I like what you do to learn first names. I will definitely try it. I usually learn names by taking mental note when I take attendance.
Hi Bruce,
Great strategy. Thanks for sharing it. I know this will help other instructors in learning the names of their students quickly and efficiently.
Gary
I find that there's always a section of class whose names I have no problems remembering. For some reason, their names "stick" from Day One. So, after that first class (where I do my best to know everyone's names), I take the class picture roster and cross off the people I feel confident in really knowing. Then I concentrate on those I don't know, spending time with this roster, but also asking these students more questions in the second class period. It's amazing how this simple technique can get those names burned into your head!
I really like this idea. I was looking for a good way to do both attendance quickly and learn names. This does both. thank you.
Kathe
I gave a quiz the second day of class and hand them back individually so that I might be able to start remembering the face and the name. It helps.
Hi Jessica,
This is a very good method as well. I use this when I have larger classes as it helps me just like you to hear the names repeated several times. By the end of the class introductions I have probably 70% of the names down due to this method.
Gary
I as well find this method helpful. I also like to used the method of the students repeating everyones names before them. This helps them remember and get to know their fellow classmates and also helps me a lot by hearing each persons name several times in a class period.
Hi Darci,
I use name tents as well for my classes. I use 5x7 cards that the students fold in half and put the name they prefer to be called by on it using felt markers. I have 8 to 10 different colors available to the students so they can chose the color they want on their name tent. With my larger classes I have the students put their name tents on my desk as they leave. I lay out the name tents before the next class and they pick up theirs when they come into the class. They set them at the front of their desks. When I start the class I go over and pick up the remaining name tents and I have take roll just that quick. I put the collected name tents in my desk and later I record the absences. Students that are tardy have to see me to get their name tents so they will be shown as being there even though tardy. This way I don't take any class time taking roll. It is simple and automatic. The students like the method plus they know that my records will be accurate should they complain at the end of the course about the absences not being correct.
Gary
That's a really good idea. I just usually have them write their names down on a piece of paper and place the paper in front of them. I make sure to say all their names as I go around the room.
Hi Leonard,
I wish you much success this term. Let me know how your methods work out.
Gary
Wow! A lot of really great ideas. I have 82 students this term. My plan is to apply a different technique to each class and see how I fare.
Hi Amy,
Great tool for remembering names. This is an additional connection that can be made between the name and the student. Should really help no only the instructor but the other students as well.
Gary
One thing I had students do was tell a story about their name. What does their name mean? Were they named after someone? Everyone knows something interesting or unique about their name and sharing it with others will help everyone remember names.
Hi Isaac,
To help with this you need to develop some activities that you can use as ice breakers with your students at the beginning of the class where they and you use the students names over and over. Also, when I have a large class I take pictures of them with the digital camera download the photos and put them into a file. Under each picture I put the student's name and a significant fact about that student. I then review the file before class and remembering their names becomes much easier.
Gary
i have such a hard time remembering peoples name.
One fun technique, after introductions, I use to learn first names is to have one student begin by stating his/her name, the next student must repeat the first student's name and adding his/her own, etc. I "go" last and must repeat all the names. Students seem to enjoy this and help each other out as needed. They also learn each other's names
I agree but I add a little twist-the perwson after the first must say the person's name oahead of them, also one interesting thing about them-so the last peron may have to say fifthteen names. It helps me as an instructor to quickly learn their names.
Hi Jim,
At least you have half of the task accomplished by remembering the last names. The good news is that since you will be working with the students using their first names repeatedly those names should get filed in your memory quickly.
I am always amazed at how our memories work on certain items such as names or phone numbers from homes we lived in long ago, yet we have problems remembering a current password. Humans what can I say.
Gary
