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A recent string of ideas came across the Lilly Conference on College Teaching listserv recently. Here is a sampling of some ideas you can try in your large lecture class to remember students’ names:
From L. Dee Fink (author of a great book – Creating Significant Learning Experiences):
…(L)earning names is extremely helpful but challenging in large classes. Here are two ideas that have worked for some:
1. This worked for me in classes of nearly 100, N=75. I used small groups extensively in the course. So, after forming the groups on the first day of class, I took a Polaroid picture of each group and as it “came up”, they wrote their names by their individual picture. I then posted these pictures by my desk in my office and worked on learning the names within each group. After learning the names in the first group, I would learn a new group and review the names in the previous groups, and so on.. I took a week or two to get them all done, but I eventually did. What seemed to work for me was: it was a lot easier to memorize 12 groups of 6 students, than it was to memorize 72 students. And students really appreciated it.
2. A math professor I knew had a very large class, over 100, and knew it would be valuable to learn their names. So he used assigned seating, made a chart, and then each day of class, worked on memorizing a block of 6 students (3 in front and 3 behind). Then each day when he came to class, he made a point of visiting with students in each new block and in the ones he had already learned -in addition to the class in general.
In took awhile, but again by working continuously at it, he eventually got their names all down so that even if he met them while walking across campus, he would recognize them and be able to address them by name.
The point seems to be: You have to commit to doing this because you know it makes a difference in how students respond. If you commit to doing it, you can do it even if it takes some time. To read more about L. Dee Fink’s book, please click here.
Here are some more ideas from the listserv and other faculty suggestions:
- Index card w/ name/contact info and 2-5 questions about them; review these early & often, especially during class discussions (call name and associate w/ their face
- Students create/use name tents each class session; some faculty have students take/bring these each class, while others collect them and use this as an attendance check (but this requires space to lay out the cards, usually alphabetical or clustered, and time to collect/organize them at the end of class). If the name tent IS collected, combine with the index card suggestion, having students answer questions on the inside for you to review.
- When handing back papers, call their name and personally hand it to each student
- Mandatory brief office visits (2-5 min.) are requested by some instructors during the first 1-3 weeks of class (which may be unmanageable for very large classes)
- Just “good ol’ memorization” of the roll sheets and then associate with faces during first classes
- Take pictures of groups of students and write their names out (be careful of the legalities of this at your school); study these groups with names/faces frequently; helps if they sit near each other in class
Do you have any creative ideas to learn the names of your students?
January 20th, 2009
Do you ever have a hard time finding books and sources to help you prepare for lectures and classes? Do you have a list of books that you would love to read, but just don’t have the time or money? Could your students benefit from free book viewing online? Well, Google has launched something that could help: Google Books.
Google Books allows you to search through a wide variety of books and even provides access to the content of those books. This means that you can read whole books online, although some authors and publishers only allow a few pages to be read. Google books categorizes books into subject matter, has a great searching capacity and even allows you to create your own library where you can recommend books and write reviews.
The topics that can be found within the archives of Google Books are vast. A simple search of books on teaching pulled up 131,582 results. This could be a tool that may help in your research and something that may help your students in your classes as well.
What do you think about Google Books?
November 17th, 2008
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology now has a new name, the Center for Teaching and Learning. We are still in the same office, and still offer much of the same services to faculty, staff and graduate students. More details about changes at the Center will be forthcoming. Any questions and/or comments are welcome.
Our office still is University Hall 201. Our phone number is: 372-6898. Our e-mail address is: ctlt@bgsu.edu. Drop-in, give us a call or send us a message.
Please take a look at our new logo:
June 25th, 2008
How can I organize my bookmarks (favorites) in my browser?
AL’s answer for Mac using Firefox
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=26667
AL’s answer for Mac using Safari
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=4658
AL’s answer for PC using Firefox
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=23349
AL’s answer for PC using Internet Explorer 7
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=26553
Did these tips help you to organize your bookmarks? Do you have any organizational techniques to share, that may help others?…Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
February 6th, 2008
Have you ever wondered where to host your files (Podcasts, PowerPoints, Videos, etc…) on campus?
Well luckily ITS has provided all of us with a nice easily to use grid to determine where we should look to find the proper file storage…
Click here to check out the webpage.
What file storage services do you use? Do you utilize any other file storage service other then the services that ITS provides? If so, which ones?…Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
December 11th, 2007
Question 1
I’ve been seeing a lot of references to Web 2.0. What is it?
AL’s answer
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=32612
Now that we know what Web 2.0 is, here is a Tip on Google Docs…
Question 2
How do you check spelling in a document when using Google Docs & Spreadsheets?
AL’s answer
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/almovie?key=32471
Do you currently use any Web 2.0 technologies in the classroom? If so, how? Do you have experience or any other questions relating to Google Docs?…Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
November 15th, 2007
Learning and Teaching in Second Life
This workshop and series of related “open lab” times are presented by the Center as a means of introducing attendees to the possibilities of Second Life as they pertain to the classroom.
The workshop will consist of two distinct phases – the “official” workshop, presented by guest speaker Anthony Fontana, and the “open lab” times, where Center staff will be available to assist you in more personal and direct explorations of the environment of Second Life.
Attendees will be introduced to various pedagogical tools and resources as related to Second Life – as well as guided through the practical steps of creating a free account, using the interface, and finally exploring resources located entirely within Second Life.
Second Life is a popular persistent online virtual “world” where users from around the globe can explore digital environments and interact with other users. More and more institutions of higher education are using Second Life to create unique virtual learning experiences. The technologies powering Second Life are similar to those that power various popular computer games, but are directed to a purpose more in line with so-called “Web 2.0” applications – essentially focusing on communities of users and user-generated content within the virtual spaces. Second Life has currently surpassed six million registered users, and has in excess of forty thousand users logged in at any given time.
Workshop times include:
* Anthony Fontana – Presentation on Second Life, Thursday, May 24th, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
* Open Lab, Thursday, May 24th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
* Open Lab, Friday, May 25th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
* Open Lab, Friday, May 25th, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
To register for these workshops visit our CTLT Workshop page and sign-up.
Have you ever used Second Life before? If so, how? What positive possibilities could online interactive classes create in the future?
Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
May 11th, 2007
BGSU has unveiled a new service for Faculty, Staff, and Students…
MyFiles is a network-based, file storage system. It can be accessed at MyFiles.BGSU.edu, simply login using your BGNet Username and password. MyFiles provides 1 Gigabyte of disk space per person and allows an individual to store copies of important documents such as homework, notes, papers, and graphics on a system that is accessible from anywhere on the Internet.
What is MyFiles?
Files stored on MyFiles can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet through a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Safari.
Files stored on MyFiles can be shared with friends, colleagues, collaborators, project team members, and others, both on and off campus. File owners are able to provide access that can be read-only or read-write, allowing for controlled access and collaborative editing.
Files stored on MyFiles can be tracked to see who has read the file and who has made changes to the file. MyFiles can even store multiple versions of a file to keep a history of revisions.
Files stored on MyFiles are secured by BGSU authentication username and password, and can be accessed by others only if the account owner gives permission. Access can be assigned based on BGSU usernames and passwords, or by electronic ticket that allows individuals not associated with BGSU to gain read-only or read-write access.
Files stored on MyFiles can be accessed by clicking on a designated web URL. Each file has a specific web URL that can be sent to others through email instead of sending entire files as attachments.
What MyFiles is NOT:
Not a place for instructors to store class notes, Blackboard should be used for this.
Not a place to share the latest ripped version of your favorite CD. Please remember that all use of BGSU’s network and systems must comply with all BGSU network usage policies and all copyright laws. Violations may result in your MyFiles privileges being suspended, and you may be referred to appropriate authorities.
How could you as a faculty member utilize MyFiles? How could your students use the service? Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!
May 8th, 2007
TerenceOnline is an eLearning Resource Center and blog to help you stay informed with what’s going on in web 2.0, technology, education, and eLearning pedagogy.
Terence Armentano is an Instructional Designer and Multimedia Specialist for IDEAL (Interactive Distance Education for All Learners) at Bowling Green State University. His blog entails his weekly elearning spotlights as well as feeds from many of his favorite resources. These resources could be integrated into online or face-to-face courses — or anywhere in between.
Check out the videos, live chat and many other numerous features of the blog. Also, if you have questions about Blackboard or online pedogy techniques feel free to ask him questions…
Share your opinion and experiences by leaving a comment below:
What do you think of TerenceOnline? What information on his site did you find useful?
March 13th, 2007
Congratulations to Avalyn Goodwin
As the winner of our first Gift-Away Avalyn will receive a 128mb USB Flash Drive. “Thank You” to all who contributed. Your comments are what keeps this site alive. We appreciate the contributions that you make and hope that you will keep checking the site often. We will be having another Gift-Away sometime next semester so keep posting.
Have a Happy Holiday Break,
CTLT
December 12th, 2006
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