March 22, 2011

Improve classroom dynamics through inclusion: Use the Classmate photo roster to connect names with faces and call on students by name

Learning student names at the start of a new semester can be challenging. Many students decide to attend a regional comprehensive university like the University of West Florida rather than a large university because they expect that the smaller class sizes and lower student-faculty ratios at UWF will increase their ability to get to know and interact with faculty. They may be disappointed if they attend class regularly, participate occasionally, and find that their instructor still does not know their name. When faculty can recognize students and recall their names when calling on them during class or during out-of-class conversations, students feel a stronger sense of community and inclusion in the class. The classroom dynamic may also improve, fostering more frequent participation and student engagement.

The class rosters available through Classmate now include student photos. These photos can work as handy tools to aid instructors in learning and recalling student names. Learning the names of many students in a large enrollment class can be a daunting task. Make this task more manageable by creating small groups of students and learning the names of students in one group at a time. Usually one page from the Classmate roster prints approximately five or six student faces and names, which should be a manageable number for one day. Limit your study to one page of student photos on any given day.

Open one page of the roster at the lectern during class (or bring a printed copy of the page) and scan the audience as class discussion gets underway. Search for the faces of students in the group on your page and call on these students by name during class. At the end of the class, return to the photos in the roster and rehearse the faces and names of these students once more to reinforce your memory. Prior to the next class session, review these faces and names. Once you are familiar with the names and faces of students in this group, select a new page in the roster and focus on this new set of students during class. Gradually, you will be able to match the names and faces of a large number of your students.

Thanks to Michelle Hale Williams, Government & Political Science, University of West Florida, for this suggestion.

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December 4, 2007

Students feel more engaged when faculty know students’ names, but learning the names of many students can be difficult. 

Bring a digital camera to class at the start of the term and photograph students in groups of 3 or 4, holding a sheet of paper with their name. You can review these photos from time to time to connect names and faces.

Some students may object to being photographed. To avoid potential conflicts, explain to students that participation in this activity is entirely voluntary, the materials will only be used by you to help you learn their names, and photos will be destroyed at the end of the semester.

 

 

Updated 03/22/11