Get Your Students Hired
I had a student last summer who was only in my class for a couple of weeks before his parole got revoked. He recently came back to school and re-enrolled in my class, and he was so excited that I still remembered his name. I think so many of career college students have not gotten a lot of encouragement throughout their lives, and remembering their names communicates that they are important.
Hi Latoya,
You are right! Students need to feel they matter, and by learning their name, they feel like they are important.
Patricia
I think it is important to learn student names because its their identity and it helps when establishing the intitial relationship between the instructor and student, and it does let them know that you care. If a student feels that you haven't taken the time to recognize them by name or even make an effort to get a correct pronunciation of their name then it could cause them to feel disconnected from the instructor.
Hi John,
Yes, some students will do what ever is necessary so that you remember them. I've had students to tell me, "You will never forget me."
Patricia
Hi David:
That sounds like an excellent approach that I will try immediately! I make seating charts but realize that sometimes students change seats, causing me some confusion. A blank seating chart every class would be helpful! i also like the idea of jotting down something that will help you remember the student. I usually ask students for contact info like phone numbers and email that they use on the first day of class, along with hobbies and fun facts about themselves while I give them some background info on me as an icebreaker in day one. It works!
John
Hi Anthony:
I like your idea of pointing out that if you remember them they are either doing something very right or very wrong. Does it seem to anyone that students that crave the limelight want to make sure you know their names?
John
Oh ... I am so bad at remembering names, especially when the class load is 15 and higher. At one time, I created nametags for the students. I believe this was a great idea, but only temporary. In another scenario, I referred my memory to an attendance roaster, which I created. This allows me to get up from my desk and call on students. I still need an effective method to remember each student.
-Alyce Dexter
Hi Andrew,
If making learning names fun for you works continue to do it. Students enjoy having the fun.
Patricia
when learning student names i like to make it a game for myself, i am luckey that we have lab groups so i start by learning a group at a time or if something funny happens instantly a nickname has been made. the students like it and its a lot of fun.
Hello David,
Wow, you have me beat. We have new students every five weeks. You certainly have a challenge. Try using name tags or desk name tags for the first few days. This tactic works.
Patricia
I agree that it is important to learn your students names. I do find it difficult to remember them, as we have new faces every three weeks. But I try my best.
Hi Joseph,
Fortunately, I am very good at learning student names. I learn my student names on DAY 1. You may want to try name desk tag for the first week to help you learn your student names faster.
Unfortunately, it takes me about 3 weeks to learn everyone's names. Usually it's because I have nothing to relate the name to the face until I get to know a little about them.
I've read about techniques, like making some personal association with their name, but it doesn't always work for me.
Generally, what I do to remember student names is that I make a one word note on my roster next to their name. It helps tremendously. The words might include, red hair, Latino, retake, etc.
I agree it is important to learn the names of students early in the course. This is a way of personalizing the conversation or attention given to students. However, this is not an easy task, especially if the class is large, or mixed cultural background of students whose names are pronounced with a foreign alphabetical sound.
I have new students every three weeks, and am bad at remembering names,but I am going to try some of the suggestions in this forum to improve.
Hi Francisco,
There is an automatic connecton when you know your student names. Students want to be thought of as being important, and you can sure them their importance by memorizing their name.
Patricia