I can identify only too well with you Carol--and I teach at a community college so normally teach between 4 and 5! classes. I have finally accepted the stark reality that I need to take pictures of my students to include on the index card with their special interests, course background. And then I review, review, review. It's well worth it as students so appreciate professors who can call on them by name. Yes, it makes day one time-consuming but also unique to students. They assist with the picture taking with digital cameras from our professional growth center--having three cameras going simultaneously.
Hope that helps, Joan Joan Warmbold Boggs Associate Professor of Psychology Oakton Community College [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Dear Tipsters, > I know that some of you are very good at learning students' names in a > very short time frame. I could sure use some advice in that regard. My > memory for names is embarassingly poor. I'm lucky if I remember > students' names by the end of the semester, and that's only if it's a > very small class or if a particular student does something outrageous or > distinctive. I have tried everything I can think of--I take attendance > every day, often I pass a camera around in class and get "mug shots," > and I try linking a feature with a name (e.g., Carly has curly hair). I > really try, I honestly do, and I know it's important to the students > (and so it's important to me). I tell them this true story so that they > won't be hurt if I forget their names: About 15 years ago as I was > drifting off to sleep, my husband, whose name is Larry, said, "Good > night Carol." In my twilight zone between sleep and wakefulness, I > mumbled, "Good night Lester." I don't even know a Lester, but I knew my > husband's name started with an L. Lucky for me, my husband understood > because he's known me a very long time (and we've now been married for > 32 years). At the time, I was awakened by my own embarassment and I've > not made that mistake again (yet), but I'd really like to get better at > students' names. Can you all tell me what you do and what seems to work > best for you? I've been teaching for about 16 years or so, and so far my > own efforts haven't been very successful. Am I just doomed to having a > poor memory or is there something that I can do? > Thanks, > Carol > > > > > > Carol DeVolder, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology > Chair, Department of Psychology > St. Ambrose University > Davenport, Iowa 52803 > > phone: 563-333-6482 > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: archive@jab.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
