name recognition
try to do everything in your power to gain knowledge of all the students names as soon as possible
Amer,
Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. I know instructors are always on the look out for ways to expand their effectiveness in dealing with students, especially in learning names.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My weakest area is names so I fined it helpful to map my class and let my students know that I will use this map to help me remember their names especially when I have a large class. I also use this map to give them their homework back in group of four. Also coming to class early and looking at the map helps. And the most helpful way to my is calling my student names every day and mark an A in front of the person who is absent in the attendance sheet. this (A) I change to (LA) if the person comes late to class. in my school we use (A) for absent and (LA) for late.
Amanda,
This is such a good point to remember. In sales classes this is one of the first things they teach future salespersons. We need to take a lesson from them and use this same technique.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like what you said about thanking them by name. I find the more I use their names, the faster I remember them. Even if it seems a little repetitive at first. I think people also like hearing their names so it makes you feel more connected to each other.
Deb,
Like your approach. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. Most of us are on the lookout for additions strategies that will help us learn the names of our students quickly.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I used this technique when teaching primary school, and with a few adjustments I think it might work for adult learners.
In your mind, place an adjective with the same letter of the first name with the name-for instance Temporary Tom. You could use vocabulary words or anything to do with your course. It's almost fun, and the students really don't need to know how you remember their names, (unless you want to tell them!)Phlebotomy Phil,Cardio Chris,
etc.
This sounds "elementary", but it works!
Michael,
Not sure as to any suggestions about learning the names of your students quickly since you have them in a clinic setting and for such a short period of time. I would be like you and look forward to when they get their name tags.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a new adjunct professor, coming into a dental hygiene clinic. I Have different student to check their progress only one day a week. The students are not sitting and are moving throughout the clinic. It is very difficult to remember their names. Any suggestions? However soon they will be getting name tags! Can't wait.
Great way to learn the students name quickly.
John,
This is a great way to learn names quickly plus it helps in getting the course information into the minds of your students. They can see you value them as individuals and that you are there to help them to be successful if they are willing to put forth the required effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always try to remember every student's first name the first day, and almost always do. I start by asking them to introduce themselves, and tell a little about why they are in my class, why they chose this school, what they want to do after they are "Paroled" from school, and something interesting about them. So it not just name rank and serial number. I ask them to say their name and pause. During the pause I find their name on my attendance sheet and mark them as present. This is a visual and audio trigger for me. I look at them as they continue to answer and I roll over their name in my mind. If it happens to be a large class, I will also write on a sheet of paper their first name and map out where they are in class. Blah, blah, blah my introduction, the course objectives and so forth. When I get the the syllabus, the first thing is to point out that so much of their grade comes from class participation, and with that who would like to participate and read the first section of the syllabus? When the are finished I thank them by name. Soon the volunteers start to diminish, so it's time to use the seating map and call on individuals by name.
I'm not always the best at remembering names, but I typically know the student art and link it to their name.
If the student posts a photo of themselves in their bio I almost always recognize and can place name with a face.
Birgit,
This is a fun way to learn the names of your students quickly and as you say students really appreciate this effort. By learning their names you are letting them know they are more than just students, they are individuals preparing to enter your career field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do roll call each day of class for the first week or two (depending how often the class meets). After that I make it a game of getting their names right by giving them extra participation points if I get it wrong.
When I was a student, it became obvious when an instructor did not seem to care by not making any attempts to know our names.
Kellie,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. We are always looking for techniques that will help us learn the names of our students quickly and this is a good one.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Day one I have the students introduce themselves and tell us what has brought them to our school. I then ask a few questions and thank them by name for sharing. After the 5th person, I return and state the previous names again. By the end of the introductions I have mastered all 20 - 30 students names.
Stephanie,
Strategies like this are so valuable for instructors to know about. The more methods we have available to learn students names quickly the better for us and our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My way of getting to gain knowledge of students' names fast is by playing a game where they have to repeat each other's names including mine. Plus every day when they sign in I call their names out to continue familiaring with the names and student's face.
