6 Getting to know your students

One effective way to show you care about your students is to learn their names. Of course, this task is more or less intense depending on the size and context of your class. Nevertheless, even instructors who have classes with 150 students have learned most, if not all, of their students’ names. Making the effort to learn and use the correct pronunciation of your student’ names is an important component of creating an inclusive, equitable learning environment. You can check MAUI for recorded pronunciations of students’ names in advance.  A web search of an unfamiliar name will often yield common pronunciations.

College teachers across the country have invented a multitude of ways to learn their students’ names. Here are a few of the best tried-and-true ideas:

• In a large enrollment class, study photographs of students alongside their names. Instructors of record (that is, those listed on MyUI for a particular course) can access class lists and student photographs through MAUI.
• If relevant, use a seating chart until you feel comfortable with most names.
• Ask students to write their names on card stock name tents and invite them to add color, designs, etc. to reflect their personalities or interests.
• In smaller enrollment courses, conduct name game activities on the first day or two of class. There are many versions of this idea, such as asking students to interview each other for three minutes and then introduce their peer to the class.
• Make sure to address your students by the pronouns they use. For more info and teaching strategies, check our resource developed by the UIowa undergraduate students.