Learning the names of your students is often cited as a simple way to create an inclusive environment in your classroom. It shows your students you care and helps to foster a sense of community. Furthermore, researchers have found that students have a more positive attitude about a course if they perceive that the instructor knows their name.
I’m the first to admit that I have a terrible memory and have a difficult time remembering the names of people I meet. This means I have to make a concerted effort to quickly learn students’ names when I teach. This can sometimes prove to frustrating and time consuming but it doesn’t have to be. Below are a few quick strategies I use to make learning names a little easier.