Agreed i think taking about for a bit out loud is a great way to remember names.
Unfortunately, in the past, it seems it was easy to remember the student with challenges, and not the ones who did well in class. However, I first create a seating chart, and then when I address the class, I will look at the chart, and memorize, one at a time as I am instructing, and watching responses from each student. This way I can get a feel for their personality, and needs. I also will use the chart a time or two in the beginning to return graded tests, and this will help me remember each person's name according to how well they may be doing, and to focus on those who I may need a little more attention. The chart also would become useful when addressing students for their responses, but I do it discreetly, as not to look obvious.
Having the students sit in alphabetical order also helps. Then once you have learned their names, they can change seats.
Darleen,
This method shows you value each student as an individual because you are working hard at remembering their names. This sets up a great opportunity to earn their respect and create rapport.
Gary
Tanisha,
Wow you do have a tough job. I have a few more students around 130-150 but I keep them for 15 weeks. With this length of time I can get their names down. What do you do to remember their names?
Gary
Shirley,
This is another great strategy for learning students names. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know these strategies are going to be helpful to other instructors.
Gary
Lavete,
This is a great strategy because it gets buy in from the students. Like you say they are looking for you to forget a name so they are paying close attention to each name you call out. This helps them to learn the names of their fellow students as well.
Gary
Sharif ,
Good idea for increasing the use of their names so they should be easier to remember the next time the class meets.
Gary
I don't play any games with the students' names while trying to memorize them but I do set a goal for myself that I will learn and know all of their names by the end of the third class session. I share this with them so that they know I'm making an effort to learn their names and so, far, it has worked for me. It always helps if they sit in the same general area of the room, but if they change seats, I make a comment and that helps me to remember the student's name the next day or meeting.
That is a hard task seeing that I have an upwards of 100 students and they change every five weeks.
As do I! I use the "I went to the store and I bought...." game. I start at the front of the class and say the first students name, I repeat the first students name adding the next and so on. I makes the students feel like it is a game but really I am the one learning something.
I create a challenging game in which I am of course the only contestant. I set a goal in class that I will remember everyone's name by the end of class or the following day depending on the class size. The students are very receptive to this because of course they expect me to fail. Calling aloud and making sure to actually look at each student as they respond to their name, as well as remembering where they are sitting at that particular moment works like a charm. I have a perfect record thus far.
I think taking the attendance at the start and end of the class, does help memorizing few student names.
