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Teaching in Higher Ed

How to Learn Students’ Names

Feb 20, 2025
Michelle Miller, a cognitive psychologist and author, dives into the art of remembering student names, emphasizing its importance in fostering classroom engagement. She shares strategies to overcome the common challenges teachers face, such as the cognitive barriers to name recall. Miller highlights that using names elevates conversations and creates a sense of belonging for students. Additionally, she discusses the psychological theories behind memory retention and offers actionable tips for educators to enhance their name-learning skills.
48:32

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Quick takeaways

  • A positive mindset about the challenges of remembering names can motivate educators to develop effective memorization techniques, enhancing student connections.
  • Using students' names in the classroom enriches the learning experience by fostering belonging and transforming interactions from lectures to engaging dialogues.

Deep dives

The Importance of Mindset in Learning Names

Learning students' names can be challenging, and understanding the importance of mindset plays a crucial role in this process. Acknowledging that many people struggle with remembering names helps to normalize this challenge, allowing educators to approach it with a more positive perspective. Recognizing that effort is needed and that improvement is possible can motivate educators to employ effective techniques for name memorization. By fostering openness to learning, educators can explore personalized methods that align with their individual strengths, ultimately enhancing their connection with students.

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