Re: remembering students' names

[Julie Penley]

Dear Carol,

I do the first day activity where the first student (starting anywhere in the room) introduces himself/herself, then the next person introduces himself/herself and the person that was introduced 1st.  The third person introduces the first 2, and adds their name to the list.  Etc. etc.  I go last, requiring me to remember everyone's name.  It breaks the ice, helps everyone learn everyone's name, is good for some laughs, and is a great introduction to memory.  Most of my classes are about 40 students, so it takes about 30-35 minutes to do this activity.  And then, as Joan mentioned, it requires daily practice on my part.

 

A colleague has students create tent cards with their name in black marker (easily seen from the front of the room) and has them put the card on their desk each day.  Some may feel this is cheating, but it's much better than trying to call on a student by pointing and saying "you in the blue shirt", or not calling on anyone at all.

 

Julie

 

Julie A. Penley, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

El Paso Community College

El Paso, TX 79998-0500 

DeVolder Carol L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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]

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