Remembering Names
I have a great deal of difficulty remembering students' names, especially within the first day or so. I find it helpful to review the roster in our campus system which posts a photo of the student. Therefore, it is easier for me to have a pretty good idea of who is who on the first day, and students are sometimes surprised to find that I already know who they are.
Some students do not want to be photographed by the instructor, and it kind of makes me uncomfortable to ask them. This is a memory technique that doesn't make either of us uncomfortable.
Margaret,
Thanks for this tip. We are always looking for ways to help us to get names down in our minds.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
With larger classes I play the rhyming games with their first names. It usually works, and by the third day I know their names.
I have a simple method to remembering student’s names I make a sitting chart the first day with diagrams of tables and chairs and put student’s names on my chart. By mid week I can put a face with a name!
That sounds to me like a very useful service. I also feel very reluctant to take photos. I have found various ways to remember names: for example, I have students interview each other in pairs and then each student introduces the one he/she interviewed. When each student is finished with his or her introduction, I say the name of the person just introduced and then repeat all of the names of students who have so far been introduced. It sounds kind of difficult, but actually it is just a way of getting the names into my head, and the students seem to appreciate it.
Even with students wearing name tags it's important to learn their names as quickly as possible. Students notice when you look at their name tags OR not. It builds trust in you as instructor because it shows you care.
It is always challenging especially when it is a larger class, but I do think it is important to learn their names as soon as possible. It shows the student that you care.
HI Sarah,
As instructors we need to use all of the props we can to help us get those names memorized. As you see in other posts I am a big fan of name tents. They really help not only me but the other students as well in getting to know each others' names.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Since you already have a name and matching photo you have a leg up on learning their names. Plus, you don't have to take the time or effort to take their pictures in your class.
Gary
Hi Cheryl,
I use name tents in my large classes as well. They really help me with the names as you mentioned. In the large classes I use them the entire class phase as a way to take roll. I put them out on my desk each class session and as the students come in they pick up their name tents. When I start the class I walk over and pick up the remaining name tents. I slip a rubber band around the name tents and set them aside. After class I note in my grade book those students that were absent or tardy based on the name tents I have. I don't have to take valuable class time to take roll since the students do it themselves when they come in to class by picking up their name tents. It is an effective and constant reminder of the value I place on being in class on time each day.
Gary
Hi Gary,
In really large groups, learning names in a day is a challenge! In the adult business world, we would all have name placards placed in front of us at meetings. So, I will do the same thing in a large class.
I cut a manilla folder in fourths. Then fold each piece in half. I bring some large black magic markers and have the students put their first name on the front of the folded placard.
It works! It is treating the group with a level of maturity. And I learn the names pretty quickly. (I do save the names for a few classes).
I have an easier time remembering names in classes where I see students more than once a week. I agree that having access to photos is helpful. Sometimes when I have a larger group, I will ask them to create name tags to place in front of them on their desks the first week so I can easily associate names with faces.
