Remembering Names
I find it incredibly important to the students that I remember their names ASAP. Since most classes are required to break I always wait for them to return to the classroom (usually alone or in small groups) and engage each as they come back into the classroom by confirming their name and a brief talk about their interests. It is a second review for me during the first class and helps me to get the name thing down early.
Steven,
I think you are going to like the results you get with this approach. Good luck with it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Juan,
This is always a fun time for me as I get to interact with the students as they come in and I get a "read" on the mood of the class so I can plan how I will open the class for that day from this read.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is a great idea. I normally have a small introductory questionaire that I have them fill out and then speak about in-class as a way for me to attach a name to their career path and learning goals. If I coupled this with your method, I would be more successful in remembering their names within the first few days of a new module.
standing outside the room every day to meet and great all of the students it is a great idea to practice, and we all like to hear our name out loud
Gina,
This is a fun quick exercise that gets everyone talking and learning about each other. Once this is done I then do an ice breaker that gets them moving around the classroom and exchanging information about their life experiences. A fun time that gets everyone laughing and sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I actually do exactly what this course had recommended. I have the students write their names on an index card and fold it to make a tent so their name is visible. It is very useful and the students enjoy decorating the name tag, its an ice breaker. Everyone takes a minute to see what everyone's name is and look at what they drew next to their name.
Christopher,
Good strategy to follow in learning student names. This seems to be a major challenge for us all so the more ideas about learning student names the better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. I also struggle with remembering names. I do think pictures really help consistently put a face to a name, as well as continually addressing the students by their first name as they are called on to reinforce the recall.
Sonya,
Thank you for this suggestion for learning students names. I know it will be of help to other instructors. Most of us struggle with remembering names and any techniques we can learn about will be helpful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This has been one of the hardest things for me to do, so I have to put in extra work to help me learn student names. I use pictures to help me identify students. This has been the most helpful way for me to learn students.
I also have my class do introductions and the beginning of the class. This enables the students to get to know each other also.
Joy,
The fact that you are making an effort to remember their names goes a long way with students. So keep up the effort and before long you will have the names down and the respect of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that remembering names is very important, but I feel that remembering names will be my greatest difficulty. I am doing my best to be better at memorizing names.
Mary Lou,
This faculty member really understands how to connect with students and earn their respect. I am sure his students really appreciate his efforts to see his students as individuals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
we have faculty that after the first class stands outside the classroom and shakes their hand as they come in and announces good day...such and such...
also he has the students call on each other which reinforces that there is a team concept in the classroom
Brenda,
You will find that if you put forth the effort to remember student names they really appreciate it even if it takes you a few days and you need some help in pronouncing some of the names.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes, I find remembering names are important. I try very hard remembering and looking at the student to give me face and name recognition. I go around the class asked the students to pronounce their names or use their nicknames if they have one for remembrance.
I agree with remembering student's names ASAP, I feel it sets the tone of letting each student know they are a unique individual in your class & you care enough about them to learn their names. I usually have a day or so before class starts with the roster of names and I will become familiar with the names, so I do use a seating chart as a tool to help me put faces to the names.
I agree Pandora. Although not ideal I find a seating chart helpful for the first few days.
