Remembering Names
Since I am not good with remembering names, it helps me to review the roster to become familiar with the individual names and pronunciations prior to the first class. It also helps to have the students use place cards at the first class so I can put the name with the face, and use their names during class.
I have introductions as one of the first activities by pairing the students to interview each other, and then make the introductions to the class which includes something memorable about that student. It helps to build the connection for me, and the students have made a new friend.
This is a nice approach. It reinforces for the class that the instructor is truly interested in each individual. Students too, may not recall the name of
each classmate and may be shy about asking, so this is a stress reliever for some class members. I also review the roster between classes, trying to get a picture of each person in my mind. For those whom I do not clearly recall, I know to focus on remembering them in the next class. Often this is by process of elimination. I'll make a note to myself to identify who certain students are. As a name comes up in conversation, I can eliminate that person from the unidentified list and by other clues, such as start date, often figure out who people are. I may address the person saying "Am I remembering correctly that your name is...?"
I have had students in my class that have similar last names. It's easy to confuse them, and I try my best to not offend a student by using the wrong name when calling on them in class. I try to find a visual clue, something about the student that maybe reminds me of someone or something else, that helps me put the face with the name.
I make as much eye contact as possible when we introduce ourselves then i ask a few basic personal questions that helps me to associate an activity or favorite food to a face. then later i review my roster and try to remember as much detail about each student as i can... the next day i play a game with the student to see how many i can remember with out them identifying themselves.
I get a new class every three weeks and it is difficult to learn the names, but we also use ID badges on our campus, so I ask for a master rooster of names with their picutures that had been taken and use this along with the master role sheet. I found that if I can put a name with a face I remember it faster.
thats so true,make a personal connection and that you care who they are
Hi Henry,
Great goal that you have set for yourself. I know this involves a lot of work since you turn the students over every three weeks. The results are well worth it in the respect you earn from your students because you care about them as individuals.
Gary
I usually set a goal of two days to learn 30 new names every three weeks. I too use the name cards in front of the students that I have them make and decorate. Day one also includes a brielf introduction period including name, future plans, and hobbies.
I have found that remembering names right away does not go unnoticed. I usually get comments on how quickly I know who they are. This has been a huge help not only for me but also for solidifying in the students' minds that they are all important and have an equal place in the classroom.
I also try to review the roster before class starts. I am not always the best at remembering names and so I always try my best to learn as quickly as possible. The one thing that is nice is that all our students are required to wear name tags. It is helpful as a secondary measure to remember and learn names, but I do everything possible to not have to rely on them.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for sharing this strategy for memorizing students' names. The human factor you mentioned as being important for instructor is a good reminder of how students feel they are being accepted into the class. For you to remember being taught a technique by an instructor 28 years ago and you using currently says it all about the impact we have on the lives of our students.
Gary
Remembering names is essential to establishing rapport with students. From the students' prospective, it validates their importance to the instructor. Remembering names of students is similar to how a lawyer connects with potential jurors during jury selection. If they like you at the outset, it helps build a better instructor-student relationship.
During the first and second class meetings I ask each student to say their name first before asking and/or answering a question and then I reply to them using their name also and if I make a comment on a student's question or answer I say the student's name. By the end of the second class I have everyone's name memorized. I also make sure that I call them by name when I see them in the halls. This was a technique I learned from my interpersonal communication instructor when I was in college over 28 years ago and it has really worked for me in every aspect of my life. I know how I felt when an instructor never bothered to learn my name and I never want my students to feel that way, so I make learning their names a priority.
Hi Tim,
Good method of getting to know your students as well as other students getting to the names of their classmates. I use name tents in my classes and it really speeds the name learning along.
Gary
I ask my students to write their names on both sides of an 8 1/2 x 11 folded card that I prepared ahead of time. They are then instructed to place them on the computer monitors before them so that not only the other students know who they are -- I learn their names as well. I ask them to give them back to me at the end of class so that I can repeat the process the following time we meet. Usually by the end of the 2nd class we all have a pretty good idea of who's who.
I'm the worst at remembering names. It goes in one ear and out the other. The only thing worse than forgetting a student's name, is to call them by the wrong name. To correct this problem, I now use a seating chart. After the first week I ask the students to write their PC# next to their name on the roster. I record that information onto BlackBoard next to the student's name. The students appreciate that they won't have to sign the roster anymore. I just look for the empty seats and mark the attendance accordingly. The real value comes when I need to address a student. I know their name, where they sit, and how they are doing in class by looking at Blackboard. I learn their names much quicker and when my memory fails me, I have something to fall back on. It means a lot to a student when I can call them by name and not just a 'hey you in back'.
Hi Scott,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Very true, I have trouble with the names as well, but as I call out role I ask the students to give me a verbal here, so I can match name with face. If you do this for a couple of classes you remember there names pretty quick.
I too have problems sometimes with remembering names but am really good at remembering a face.
Hi David,
This is a good point and so true. It really helps to get the class off to a good start when the students know you are working on remembering their names. It starts the development of respect between you and them.
Gary
