Names
I have had many students comment on the fact that I learn their names so quickly. They do notice, and I am not good with names. I actually have to work at it, but I think it is the best first step to building rapport with them.
Hi Kristine,
Thanks for sharing your strategies with us. Remembering names is an ongoing challenge for most instructors so the more methods we can hear about the higher our abilities are going to be to remember names.
Gary
I also learn students' names quickly, but I don't have to work at it too much. It just comes naturally. However, before I realized I could do this quickly, I would request a student list of names and pictures if possible. My first teaching experience was in a high school where I had about 100 students in three classes. I got ahold of the names and pictures of the students and studied them until I memorized all of their names. On the first day of school I stood by the door and greeted each of my students by name when they walked in. They were surprised and pleased, and some asked, "How did you know my name?"
Another tactic that I have seen used (and I think mentioned somewhere else in the course) is to take pictures of your students on the first day and record their names. It could actually become a team building game to see if everyone in the class could learn everyone else's name.
I have always been better at recognizing faces than at remembering names. It really wasn't much of an issue until recently when the school uniform policy changed and we abolished the NAMETAG in favor of a plastic ID card on a lanyard, which most students will pocket.
Now I am doing the same as you Elizabeth, I repeat their names as often as I can (without appearing to have some type of disorder). It takes me on average to learn everyones name, but I know they appreciate the effort.
Hi Kenji,
You do have a challenge with names. I thought my 130 were a lot of names.
Gary
I have 187 students, take me a good time to memorize them
I have also found it valuable to learn names quickly. I like to repeat them as many times as I can on the first day of class so that when I do attendance later, I can put a face to the names. They really appreciate being called by name and seem more motivated to volunteer information if they know I am interested in knowing them as a person.
I agree but it does take me a while to learn names and it is something I continue be beter at.
I like to have the student stand up and just say hello. Tell us all something different or interesting about themselves. It really allows the instructor to get a personal feeling and understanding for each person, then use that information to help remember each individuals name. It becomes much more personal and not just another name to simply remember.
Hi Dennis,
Thank you for sharing these great strategies for getting to know students. These methods really help the students to get settled and comfortable in the class plus gives you the information you need to start developing rapport with them.
Gary
Hi Matt,
The key is to build a connection between the student and his/her name. Even with the class meeting only once a week if you can build a connection (hobby, kids, dog, life experience, etc.) between that student and yourself you will be able to remember the names. I also look for connections between their work and their names. This way I can talk to them about their personal interests, and their work. This helps their names to pop up when I am talking with them and calling on them in class.
Gary
One first day activity in my classes is the student interview/introduction. Students interview one another in order to introduce the classmember to the entire group. Required questions include name, major, year at school, hometown and additional one always "a little off the wall" -- what was your high school mascot, or what is something that nobody knows about you. Next each student introduces to the group interviewed. This method encourages self-disclosure, a starting point in rapport building for the learning environment. Many times students offer comments about what they have in common with one another. I often jot notes on attendance cards to jog my memory about a student's interest or job or something we have incommon as a foothold to establishing rapport. The activity also guarantees that a student knows at least the name of one other student before leaving class the first day.
A second meeting activity that builds rapport is a student scavenger hunt with a dozen or so categories. Students have to identify a class member who has driven a truck, is a parent, goes hiking, etc.according to a a prepared handout. One must fill-in the name of that new classmate in each category. No signatures are allowed so one must ask, then actually write down the name of the other student. Its a great way mix-up the group and force the entire class to interact. I've often found that seating arrangements shift as a result.Yes, I participate and place a time limit on the activity.I gives me addtional information about each student to build rapport upon.
That's great that they notice, good for you! I find it harder to remember the names of my night class students compared to my day class students. Night classes only meet once a week, where day classes meet twice. Do you have any ideas or suggestions that might help me?
Hi Brenna,
Great job in this effort. What have you found to be the most successful method you have used in learning student names.
Gary
