I can't remember students names
I have Lupus and with that comes a certain amount of memory issues, one that really effects me is memorizing peoples names, it is very embarasing at times. I came in at the last 5 weeks of last cemester, was jumped around between both teems, at graduation last week there was only a small handfull of names that I could remember.
We also use the first names in our school. I think it helps the students not to feel so intimidated. There are some teachers who I am told do insist on the more formal mode, but I prefer the more informal style. I think it makes me more approachable.
This is one of the things that I think I will try in the future. One of my college professors did this. Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.
I think I need to come up with some method of being able to learn the names faster and better. I feel bad for the students when I just can't connect them. I think they must wonder about my abilities to remember the information I am trying to teach them also. Names just seem to elude me more than anything. It just occurred to me that maybe the act of walking over to a student to hand them a paper probably helps to remember the name better because I am using more than one sense. That is a concept that I teach students to use: the idea of using more than one sense to remember information.
Hi Donna,
I know sometimes you just cannot pull it out of your brain. It can bother you.
Patricia
This works well for me too, much better even than taking attendance, probably because you are closer to the student and are interacting with the person. I too have trouble remembering names of even people I know well at times. I usually chalk it up to age. It is very bothersome for me when the name just will not come even though I know it is in my brain somewhere.
I have a new class every three weeks, by the time I have them locked in they change. The seeting chart works well for mee also, and I have had students tell me I was the first instructor to remember their names. Not always so, but the chart makes me look good and the class apreciates the effort.
I go over the roster just before class as well. I also take tiny notes of something unique the student offers during 1st class introductions. I can usually always remember the face that goes with the unique note! Second week I mentally practice names while students are working and address them by name throughout class. By the third week I have it down!
Hi Karen,
What a good strategy to help remember students names--get your roster as soon at is ready. Starting early helps!
Patricia
Our classes are divided into 6 week blocks so before the beginning of a block I get the class roster of all the students I will be teaching. I go over the rosters before I actually get to class. By the first day of class I am starting to match the faces to the names that I have already looked over. It's not perfect and I have to check my list every now and then but as soon as I meet the student, I may ask their name and start calling them by name immediately. When they ask a question I address them by their name so after a few times it is committed to memory.
Wow! How do you have time to focus on this process and teach or how do you integrate this into your teaching style?
Hi Hanna,
Great tactics to use. The name tents are effective as well.
Patricia
I have trouble remembering names and I ask the students to fill out a seating chart. I then try to learn their names when I return papers or call on them.
Hello Abigail,
I have no secret. I am just excellent at remembering names. If I see a student from 15 years ago, I can call their name. One suggestion, quiz yourself on your students names at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the first day of the class period. I always use this tactic so that I can have all names learned by the end of the class period. I progressively know all by the end.
Patricia
Hi Karen,
It shows students a since of respect when you address them by their courtesy title and last name. Students love this from instructors.
Patricia
Hi Amy,
What other methods do you use to learn students names?
Patricia
That is exactly what I do, lern names while i return papers.
Amy
I also have about 64 students divided into 3 classes. I decided that a way that would work for me and I have found it easier to remember their names if I address them by their last name i.e. Mr or Ms. Roberts. Since I teach at a culinary school, we have a daily line-up so I get to say their names there and every chance that I get to address them by their name I do it. I have found that the students like being addressed by their last names and the more I say their names the easier it is to remember.
You knew their names by the next time you saw them? I have 53 students divided into three sections of the same course. I've had these 53 students for three weeks and still have trouble with about 10 or so names. What's your secret?
Hi Charles,
You can also get good practice when you are taking roll and inputting grades by trying to match a name with a face.
Patricia
