Suggestion 132. Use index cards as a mnemonic device

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Relate to students as individuals

• Learn students' names

Using index cards as mnemonic device.

As soon as you have a list of the students enrolled in your class, write each of their names on an index card. On the first day of class, call roll, laying the cards on your desk by seat and row to reflect where each students is sitting in class, refer to the index cards and use students' names whenever possible.

A faculty member who uses this technique finds it especially effective to return to her office immediately after class and lay out the cards in the same order and review the names. "I set a goal for myself of learning 5 names each time the class meets. With a class of 30, I find I can learn everyone's name within the first two weeks without any difficulty."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  Under 100
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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