Remembering student names.
I have found that remembering the student names reinforces their belief that they matter to the instructor. If the student believes that they matter, the quality of their learning experience will be vastly improved.
I make it a point to remember names of my students not only for the class they are in with me, but for after they are out of my class and they say hi to me in the hallways, I can reply back with their names and they feel important to me since I still remember them as an individual.
Hi Gordon,
Here are some effective strategies that may help with remembering student names:
1) Upon meeting the student, make a point to say his or her name aloud at least three times during the conversation.
2) When you meet the student, focus on something distinctive about the student.
3) Upon meeting the student, break down the student's name into syllables, then think about the sound of each syllable.
Patricia
This has always been a problem with me, so i like to start my classes by having the students puting their names on a seating chart, and then I refer to the chart eveyday (calling on them to answer questions. etc...)
As a new instructor, I had difficulty remembering students names as well. I have since made a seating chart and have found it very helpful.
Hi Joseph,
Very smart tactic! Thanks for sharing. Name tents work well wnen trying to learn names.
Patricia
I use a few tricks when memorizing names. I make the students stay in the same seat for the first few days and I say their name three times when calling roll. I also ask them what they like to be called,sometimes nicknames are easier to remember than given names especially if you have students with the same first name.
I try to get my student's names memorized by the third day of class. It is hard sometimes, but I do try. It makes a difference in how they act in class and how much attention they seem to have when they are known as someone and not just a face.
Hi Chereika,
Students get a sense of importance whenever instructors remember their name.
Patricia
When I first started teaching it was hard for me to remember their names. I had them start making name tags and set on their tables. I agree with the statement remembering their name does build up their confidence in class.
Hi Robert,
I don't have any tricks, I am just excellent at remembering names. I know my students name by the time they leave on the very first day of class. My peers have told me they have used name tents, seating arrangements alphabetically, name association (remembering one unique thing about the student), etc.
Patricia
What techniques do you use to remember names? Any tricks.
Remember the name of all the students when you have a class of more than 25 or 30 students it's not easy. I notice I make a better connection between my student and I, if after the second or third day of classes you call them by their name.
Hi Humberto,
What a good way to look at not being able to remember student names, and how your students have learned from you being unable to memorize names well. It is a bright side to every thing.
Patricia
In contrast to everybody who has replied to this discussion, I am horrible with names but I focus on each day learning their names while I do my lectures or demos in the lab, I will ask the questions that will help me memorize their names and before long I memorize al their names. They relate to the fact that I am not good at something but when you try hard at something you will eventually achieve it
Hello Ronald,
Remembering student names certainly has a positive ring to it. It is crucial to remember your student names.
Patricia
Very true John and I find you learn and gain there respect and class is better for all of us in learning and teaching.
Hi Joseph,
Aren't you lucky! I suppose it is embarassing when you have to make it obvious to look at the coat to call the student's name.
Patricia
In our school we are very fortunate that our students have their names sewn right on the front of their Chef Coats. This makes it very easy to remember their names, because it is constantly in front of us. But is very emarrassing to get "caught" by a student when they know you are searching their uniforms because you as an instructor forgot their name. You must develop a "quick glance" method of catching their name and after once or twice, it is committed to memory. Especially helpful when there are several students who have the same first name.
try as i might i have ahard time remembering student name most of my classes are 55-58 students and although i get good responce when come to question my interaction does not alwys call for a name.
