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=Why learn the names of your students?=

= = = Here are the top tips! =
 * Building rapport with your students helps develop a positive classroom dynamic and facilitaties the students' overall learning experience. One of the simplest ways to begin connecting with your students is to learn their names.
 * Becoming an expert at memorizing names is a small but respectful step toward demonstrating personal investment in your students’ well-being. Building a mutually respectful relationship with students is as important as having an organized lesson plan, giving a dynamic lecture, or encouraging enthusiastic class participation. Research has shown that positive student-teacher relationships foster engagement and achievement.
 * Learning student names is just a minor, obvious task among the multitude of steps required to become an excellent teacher. However, like many basics of good teaching, it is often neglected. Being able to identify a student by name may be the first step toward cultivating a level of rapport that will make a difference in your students’ lives and your own career.
 * Learning your students’ names quickly and well may also provide a small boost of your end-of-term evaluations. The positive effects on your teaching reputation, departmental reviews and chances for tenure — vis-a-vis evaluations, future class enrollments, etc. — are secondary fringe benefits that may provide pragmatic motivation to invest your energy in the task.
 * **Make it a priority.** Focusing on any goal is the first step towards making it happen. When teaching very large classes it is tempting to give up. Resist the temptation. Try learning five names per class and try to use those names.

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