1: Using Student Names

It is pretty intuitive to see how interacting with students by name makes them feel connected to the class and to the college. And, this is a good example of an intuitive practice that many faculty already use on a regular basis. Once again, the trick is making this an intentional practice for every students in every class, every quarter. 

Making this happen will take a different amount of time to implement, based on your memorization skills, but the following suggestions come from previous TLC sessions as well as the Lake Washington's site: 

For All Modalities:

  • Canvas Profiles: Ask each student to add a photo and a short personal description to their Canvas profile (be sure to do the same if you have not already). While a portrait photo is preferable to help with name memorization, some students may not feel comfortable or safe using a photo of themselves. Instead, ask them to post a photo of their favorite animated character, animal, super hero, car, etc. For the short personal description, provide prompts:
    • What are your educational goals (e.g., earn a degree or certificate, transfer, study a particular major/program, etc.)?
    • What are your career goals?
    • What are your favorite activities outside of class? Remember, this is a professional profile. 
    • What are your strengths as a student and/or employee and/or parent, etc.?
  • Introductions: Whether in an online forum or during a class session online or in person, ask each student to share their preferred name and something simple (i.e., not too vulnerable) about themselves. From Martin Cockroft at Olympic College: Encourage students to share an activity they feel confident teaching someone else how to do. Any of the items listed above for the Canvas profile are great for introductions as well.
  • Feedback, Messages, Emails, Etc.: When you interact with students, state their names as part of the interaction. For example, when leaving comments in Canvas, write the student’s name into the comment where natural/conversational.

For Face-to-Face Courses:

  • Name Tents: Cut up old file folders to be used as name tents in class. On the first day, ask each student to write their preferred name on the name tent (front and back). At the end of class, collect all the name tents. Quiz yourself by passing them back as best as you are able at the beginning of the next class session. Repeat use of the name tents until you (AND the students) know the students’ names. Note: Hold onto the name tents for days when guest facilitators come to class.
  • Make it a Game: Spend time going around the room asking students to run through the list of their classmates' names until someone can get them all correct. Make sure that you participate and practice as well. 
  • Take a Picture (with permission, of course): Ask if you can take a photo of each student to help you learn their names. Practice! 
  • Partner Introductions: Give students a few minutes to "interview" a fellow student in pairs or groups of three, getting a few questions answered (for examples, see the list in the first suggestion). Then, rather than calling roll, have students introduce each other. 

No matter what approach you take for interacting with students, you will have to invest time to make it happen. Know that the time that you put in will pay dividends in the future. 

 

Resources

And, once again, Lake Washington has provided a valuable list of research on this topic: 

Cooper, K.M., Haney, B., Krieg, A., & Brownell, S.E. (2017). What’s in a name? The importance of students perceiving that an instructor knows their names in a high-enrollment biology classroom. CBE Life Sciences Education, 16(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332051

Igwe, N. (2016). Getting students' names right: It's personal. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/getting-names-right-personal

Korbey, H. (2017). The power of being seen. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/power-being-seen?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter

O'Brien, M.T., Leiman, T., & Duffy, J. (2014). The power of naming: The multifaceted value of learning students' names. QUT Law Review, 14(1). https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/31373/2/01_O'Brien_The_Power_of_Naming:_The_2014.pdf