Student names
I loved the idea of ticking a checkmark by each student's name to track my interaction patterns with the class. I try to be mindful of connecting with everyone, but I am aware that I develop habits of wanting to zone in on a few select students.
On another topic - While this is not specific to groups, it is a unique issue I've encountered with remembering student names (which tends to affect my interaction with students in class and groups)... I find that my brain will "rewire" two students' names in class at some point in the term. Although I know the proper name, I will use an incorrect one, sometimes repeatedly - my brain says "Sue," and my mouth says "Jane."
Does anyone else find this happening? And if so, what do you do to ensure you remember the correct name or to course correct? I learn all students' names at the beginning of the semester and use nemonic devices to remember them. I use their names often in class. I don't know what triggers the incorrect naming, but once it happens, I seem to get stuck and have to work very hard to remember the correct one! It's certainly not a major catastrophe, and often the students laugh and tease me - however, it's disruptive for me!
Any ideas are welcome :-)
This is a terrific idea - a photo roster! This would certainly help me the first week of class. However, what type of legalities would this involve, if any? Would the student have to sign a permission form to be photographed?
With the diversity of cultures and the at times a very hard to pronounce names I feel it is very important to find out the correct pronunciation or the name, or find out if they have a name they prefer to be called. Then I work very hard at making sure I remember their name and call them by the correct name. I feel it gives them and myself a feeling that that person name is important and special to them.
I do this sometimes. I'm horrified when I do it because like you said I do know their name. I do remember it though after the fact.
I play the "name game" at my first class, not only do I learn the names of the students, but the students learn the names of their class mates. I always have 2 that I confuse to the very end of the program! I laugh at myself, apologize and move on. The students laugh. There are 60 some times 90 students to keep straight. It happens don't be so hard on yourself.
Yes, I do the samething at times. I always want to confuse to students. I know which student I'm addressing, but I seem to call them by another students name. So I started to look at the student and continue to say their name over and over in my head so I don't call them by the wrong name.
Sheila
Zelda,
this is a great technique to keep the names of the students straight. It really is important to be able to call them by name.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I learn the names of my students by associating their names with something about their physical appearance. I make it a point to call on every student by their first name before the end of the class. I only learn their first names and it helps them feel more comfortable with the class. I also do not call on them in any given order so that students will not spend time anticipating their name.
Dale,
this is a great technique that I try to use as well. Another option (if you available) is to print a photo roster of your class. I find this helpful in putting the names & faces together & will review frequently in the first days of the class to try to implant the names in my head.
Dr. Ryan Meers
No idea but what i do is to make it a point to call upon student during lecture and use their name on a daily, this method has assist me in recalling a name,but I do make mistakes on names sometimes
