Student names
When I teach residentially, I try to call on at least 5 students during each class to help me remember names. I let my students know that I'm not the best at remembering names as I'm learning new ones, but ask that they please be patient and help me. Online, I try to begin each comment or reply with using a student's name.
Ahmed,
Thanks for sharing both of these strategies. I know they will be valuable to other instructors. All of us seem to struggle with remembering the names of our students so the more strategies we have the more ways we can remember the names.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
That is a very good approach, I usually ask the students to raise their hands while I call their names so that I can put names and their faces together. After a week I am able to remember their names.
Another strategy that has helped me is that I asked them to say their names before they answer any of my questions.
Hi Thomas,
I meet my classes once a week same as you so I understand the challenge of remembering their names. I work very hard at creating a connection with them in terms of an interesting fact, place they have traveled, work they have done, etc. so I can recall their names during class. I also use name tents since my classes run between 40-50 each. I have the students make the name tents the first night and from then on I have them spread out on my desk for them to pick up at the beginning of each class. I am at the desk chatting with each student as I they pick up their name tent. This also helps with a connection. This method lets me take role easily. When the class starts I pick up the tents that remain and those students are marked absent. This way I haven't had to take class time doing the roll.
Gary
This is a tough one for me. Since, I only see each class weekly, it is very tough for me to remember their names. I think I will take your advice on calling on students in that first class and lecture. Other than that, I will have to come up with some process to help me. I do see that they are a bit insulted regardless of a similar speech that I will give about having trouble remembering names!
This is helpful for me as well, especially because I teach a large class that only meets once per week. I make a note for myself to help me associate the student's name and face with that fact.
I teach classes that are usually in cohort groups, so most of them know each other. On the first day, besides introducing themselves, I ask them to tell us one GOOD thing about a classmate that is not well known to the others in the class. Teaching cohort groups is new for me, and I see a lot more cooperative and supportive efforts.
Hi David,
I like the way you tie your efforts to learn names into setting the standard of effort for your students to learn the course material. They see you are working hard to learn their names just like they need to work hard to learn new information. Win win for everyone.
Gary
Its hard work remembering names. I start each new class with an excercise where students tell me where they're from, what they want to do if they grow up, and what kind of car they drive. With that information I can remember a class of thirty names in one or two days. Usually the students are impressed with this so I challenge them to do the same hard work on their memory of course material. When asked how I can remember all their names in so little time I simply state "repetition". We learn through work and by doing something repeatedly.
I do the same kind of thing the first day of class. I have students introduce themselves and tell the class one unique or interesting fact about themselves.
I use the same technique as Scott. It works great for me the first week, but they don't keep them after that. In small classes it is not a problem, but in classes of 20+ it takes me a little while to learn all of the names! They are a little more understanding when I ask them who can name every student in the class on the second day without the name tents, and usually they will pull them back out at that point.
One thing I do is I give each person a card stock they ca fold in-half; they put their name on one side and it is placed on top the computer so I can start to remember their name; usually within 2-weeks I have my students names memorized. Plus the student feels more engaged with their name being called versus, "hey you, in the sweater".
Hi Susan,
Great way to help you to remember names. Thanks for sharing it with us. This can make our efforts easier by using the association technique.
Gary
I draw myself up a quick seating chart and then by way of taking attendance I ask each student to introduce themself. I make note of their name on my seating chart and then I ask the student to give me a favorite food that starts with their first name -- e.g., my name is Peter and I love pizza. I jot down the food next to their name.
Then I make sure I use their name when calling on them. It sure does seem to help when you have something random to remember.
Students tend to sit in the same place each class so my seating chart helps in subsequent classes.
Hi Kathryn,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it. Also, I know that it helps the students to get to know each other better and share a laugh or two as a result of the random facts they share.
Gary
One great way of learning names is asking them to tell you some random fact about them. Completely off the wall that no one else would know about them.
For example:
Hi, I'm Kat and my favorite season is summer.
This helps make the students more comfortable and you will help remember this random fact about them and their name.
