Nicknames
I did like the example of getting to know the students names and I agree that not taking the time to learn shows a great lack of respect. I liked the secondary idea of asking students which name they prefer to use. I have found this to be pet peeve especially with a name like Michael, it could be Mike or Michael but I have had some refer to me as Mikey.
Racheal,
Thanks for this name remembering hint. Most instructors struggle with remembering names so any technique that we can learn about is helpful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that nicknames actually help me learn and remember names faster! Those students that go by a nickname are always the ones that I know first.
I agree that wanting to know what the student likes to be called by a certain name does make them feel sprectial.
Jennifer
Kristen,
I agree. Being candid with students about the challenges you are facing with learning names or getting a back ordered textbook in helps them to see what you are facing and brings them into the learning situation more. So be candid and then go from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I did this same thing with a class that I had and I feel like if you are upfront with your class and ask them to give you a few days to learn all the names w/ the faces, they tend to understand and not feel like you are a lazy thinking instructor. I've never hd any complaints this way.
That is a good way to break the ice in a class. It also gives you incite to whether they would prefer a different name be utilized. Many students may have relatively difficult names for you to say and do not want you to continuously stumble over it for a whole semester.
Marcus
I invite them to do a quick 1 minute presentation and state their name, nickname if any, and a little of their background. That way they feel more confortable during thir first couple of days in class.
I ask during the first class attendance if they will let me know as I call their name if there is something they go by other than what the school is, I also ask them to give me a couple of days to get their names right.
Michael,
Thank you for making this point about asking to be given the specific name a person would prefer to be called. This shows the students their instructor is listening and responsive to their preferences.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
