Why Learning Student Names Matters

Why Learning Student Names Matters

In this inaugural episode of Designed for Learning, host Jim Lang sits down with cognitive psychologist and author Michelle D. Miller to explore the challenges and rewards of something that sounds so basic it’s easy to overlook how daunting it can be:


Learning and remembering student names.


As you prepare to meet students when they return to campus for the new semester, mastering their names isn’t just a memory exercise—it’s a step toward creating a welcoming, inclusive classroom environment.

Experience the Event

Presented by Notre Dame Learning

Friday, May 23, 2025 12:00 pm

In this inaugural episode of Designed for Learning, host Jim Lang sits down with cognitive psychologist and author Michelle D. Miller to explore the challenges and rewards of something that sounds so basic it’s easy to overlook how daunting it can be:

Learning and remembering student names.

As you prepare to meet students when they return to campus for the new semester, mastering their names isn’t just a memory exercise—it’s a step toward creating a welcoming, inclusive classroom environment.

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Meet the Faculty: James Lang '91

James Lang ’91 is a professor of the practice in Notre Dame Learning’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence.

The author of several popular books on teaching, including Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It and Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, Jim was previously a professor of English and the director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption University. He writes a regular column on teaching and learning for The Chronicle of Higher Education and co-edits a book series on higher education for the University of Oklahoma Press.

Jim has delivered keynotes or workshops at more than 300 hundred colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. A recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Grant in 2016, he has also consulted with the United Nations on a multiyear project to develop teaching materials in ethics and integrity for high school and college faculty.

Jim is a graduate of Notre Dame with a B.A. in English and philosophy. He holds an M.A. in English from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University.

Meet the Speaker: Michelle D. Miller

Michelle D. Miller is a professor of psychological sciences and President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Northern Arizona University. Originally trained in cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and neuroscience, she now focuses mainly on using the findings of these fields to help faculty choose and use educational technology and design engaging, effective college courses. Her latest book, A Teacher’s Guide to Learning Student Names: Why You Should, Why It’s Hard, How You Can, offers practical, research-backed strategies for educators looking to build a sense of connection with their students.

Key Topics Discussed

  • The science behind why names are uniquely difficult to remember
  • The importance of knowing students’ names for fostering connection and inclusivity
  • Michelle’s four-step strategy to improve name recall: Attend, Say, Associate, Retrieve
  • The role of attention and retrieval in reinforcing memory
  • Practical tips for large and small classes, including the use of name tents and group activities
  • How learning names enhances engagement and classroom participation

Series Description
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Why Learning Student Names Matters
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