learn student's name
Learn the names as soon as possible is very important and make the students trust you because you care. It work for me as a way of building good rapport the first day of class
Boy am I bad at names too! It is sad you usually know the "problem" one's first. I let them sit as they wish the first day and ask them if they will stay in these seats and I make a chat for myself.
Name cards sound great too! I will try this.
Diane Kaher
Hi Becky,
Thank you for sharing your approach to learning the names of your students. This really shows your students that you care about them as individuals. I know these strategies will benefit other instructors.
Gary
I agree! It is so important to know their names. Both because it lets the students know that you care about them, and because it helps you keep better track of the class. It is much easier to keep track of (and help) struggling students, if you can associate the name on a graded assignment with the actual person in your class.
I try to quiz myself on their names during the first few classes. Sometimes I will test myself by pointing to the students and calling their names out loud. The students can see the effort that I am making to learn their names, and they're usually impressed. Walking around and handing their assignments back before class also really helps me associate the name on the paper with the face.
Definitely! Students feel a great sense of appreciation and involvement if you make a point to know their names!
Hi Robert,
This is a good way to get familiar with the names while creating a mental connection to the up coming class of students. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
I like to look over the roster again and again, at home say their names out loud. Knowing their names is vital!
Hi Sandra,
This is a great tool. This gives you a jump start on getting familiar with the students so when class starts you have many if not all of their names connected to their pictures.
Gary
We are able to get a copy of the student's picture ID's prior to the start of class. This has helped tremendously with being able to put a face with the name.
Hi James,
This is good preparation that will save you frustration later when you are trying to work through the class roster. By reviewing the names you are starting the process of making connections between names and faces. You have an edge on making students connections from the very first class meeting.
Gary
I like to look at the class list ahead of time to see if there are any difficult names to pronounce. I also like to read the list over several time so I get a head start in learning the names then matching a face with the name.
Hi Mary,
Good strategies. I think you will really like using the name cards because they give you an additional cue for remembering names.
Gary
I am one of those people who do not remember names very well. I make it a point on my first class to have each student stand up when I take roll. I ask them if there is a certain name that they go by and make note of it. During my next class session, I take that with me and it seems to help me with names. I do plan on doing the name cards though.
Hi Piedad,
I agree that learning the students name is very impressive to them. Before orientation for the a brand new class, I have previously reviewed their admission folders. I write down each student's name, who their rep is and a contact number.
The night of orientation, the students are always impressed that I "know" who they are. If there are any issues, I personally take them to their rep to solve the issue.
Hi Glenn,
Good strategy. The connection you will get from knowing student names quickly will be worth all the effort you put forth learning them. Keep up the good work.
Gary
This is definetly one of my weak points. I have found it to be true that knowing their names is critical in establishing your rapport. It is all about respecting the individual. Using this protocol is the first step in building trust, so I make it a point to overcome this challenge.
