Get Your Students Hired
I sometimes use photo copies of their school badges and name cards first couple of days to learn new students names.
One additional aid that I use is the students pictures. At our school we have the ability to print our rosters with the students picture. By using this each time I take attendance it makes it easier for me to be able to remember their names especially in my larger classes
Jennifer,
This is a great strategy for instructors to use in learning the names of students. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I also set a goal of learning the student names on the first day. I use a seating chart. I also try to learn an interesting fact about each of the students. As they tell me (for example: their favorite cereal) I am looking at their face, remembering where they are in the room, and attaching that information to their name.
I agree Yvonne. I have trouble with a few of my student's names and the more that I use a student's name when speaking with them, the easier it is to recall their name.
I also sense that it makes the student feel valued when I remember their name.
I have a difficult time remembering names. I make it a point to use each person's name every time I speak to them to reinforce this. It also conveys to my students that I see them as individuals, rather than just a number.
i agree saying their names as often as possible, or if you know someone with the same name helps me to remember names too.
Gary,
This was a great resource for you to have and be able to get familiar with the students prior to meeting them.
Gary
Fortunately at our institution the students have identificaiton badges. The person who made them sent me the file with their picture and name before the class started.
Eunice,
Good strategy for remembering names. I think the use of name tents will help the process even more.
Gary
I also make a seating chart and record some of the students outstanding physical features to help me recognize them by sight (ex: red hair, tattoos-but never anything which may be taken in a negative way). With the help of the chart, I usually recognize and can name the students by the end of the second day. Of course, there is always the one or two students who don't sit in the same seat the second day of class...
I do like the idea of the "name tents" presented in the course material-I may try that with my next class since it should also help the students remember each other.
i repeat thier name at least three times in first conversation with them so i lock it into memory.
Liane,
This is a good strategy to follow. Any connection you make between the student and the name builds a memory track from which you cane extract a name much easier.
Gary
It is very difficult to remember the names of the students you only see once a week. I try and write something descriptive about each one the first time I take attendance, even if it's where he or she is sitting.
I try to involve them in the initial class in conversation, looking at their faces and saying their names as often as I can. This helps me remember the names of the students.
Thanks everyone for another great strategy for learning students names. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know these strategies are going to be helpful to me in the classroom.
Thao,
A simple procedure that yields big results. This way you can get their names committed to memory quickly.
Gary
Thomas,
You have a very good plan for learning not only the names of your students but something about how they interact with others, process information and handle themselves in learning situations. This information I know is valuable as you plan your instructional delivery.
Gary