Getting the name right!
In the vein of getting to know your learner, I think getting the name right is very important.
In the online environment, we see the name listed in the courseroom. However, the learner may go by their middle name or a nickname.
I try to pay special attention to this during the introductions in Week 1. I keep a little list of those learners who use a nickname or different name than those diplayed.
This seems to be one way of showing that I care, and that I am paying attention to the learner's personal needs.
Remembering students names is very important. It gives the student a feeling of belonging and caring. Everyone likes to be remembered and this is a good way to start the process.
Students take notice when you use their desired name, it shows that your taking the time to know them as a person and not just a number or another student
I agree. It is important to students to feel that their personal sense of self is acknowledged. Oftentimes, that sense of self is directly linked to name recognition. I have a similar strategy, and use whatever name the students may use in the closing of an email or discussion post. I had a professor in college who used to refer to us all as Mr. or Ms. (insert last name). To be fair, he did know all of our last names. But, it felt overly formal and came off as a disingenuous attempt to treat us as his peers.
I think it is even important in online classes which can be very impersonal. Often saving introductions helps keep the names straight.
