learning names...
By using a recognition game that I learned at a seminar years ago, I can memorize student names in the first ten minutes of the first day of class. They are always impressed at what really amounts to no more than a "card trick" and it instantly makes them accountable because I can call on each and every one by name. No one slips through the cracks.
Hi Elizabeth,
Consider yourself very fortunate to have the memory that you have. Many instructors struggle with names throughout their teaching careers.
Gary
Never had a problem learning names. I say the student's name once and after that, I remember it.
Hi Thomas,
I commend you for your effort. This is really important to students and to be able to learn names that quickly and then do it all over again in three weeks shows your dedication to creating rapport with your students.
Gary
I get the same comment when i know everyones name after 2-3days I have most of them down by the end of the first day.I also have a new class of 25-30 students every 3 weeks.
Hi Judith,
I too make it a game and the students do play along. They even like to challenge me by moving to different seats and covering their name badges. Typicaly I can rememebr their names by the third day and my average class size is 25 to 28 students every three weeks.
You stated "Students have even commented on how they like that I know them by name so quickly"
I can confirm this statement, they do state that they like the fact that I can remember their names so quickly.
On the first day I make a seating chart and as I identify the students I fill in their names by the end of class I hope to have learned their names if not I hope they sit in the same place the next day.
Using a name game is good idea. Anything that you can do to learn their names by the first or second class at the latest is very important. Students have even commented on how they like that I know them by name so quickly. It does add to good class rapport and student recognition. My approach is repeating their names after the first roll call and then taking roll every hour to see if I can get it right. It becomes a game for me and the students follow along. Knowing and using their nickname is also a good idea.
Hi Gail,
Taking pictures of students so you can create a file for your records is no problem as long as the students give their permission to be photographed. You are right to raise this caution because today everything is questioned in one way or another.
Gary
My first thought on taking picture was that it was somehow a violation of FERPA - what are thr rules around taking pictures and handling them? I'm thinking it could be a sensitive issue for some people given this day and age. Pictures would help a lot to learn the name and the face.
I need to learn that game because I thought that it was impossible to memorize students names in the first day.
The use of photos would also be helpfull
