Barry Westling

Melissa, It's interesting that even teaching the same courses over and over, year after year, how much change, adjustments, and notes about what has worked and what could be improved on. I've found the necessity of keeping a record is required for me to remember all the ideas and observations I have, and a journal serves this need nicely. Barry Westling

Lori, Electronic grading is terrific these days, enabling students to view their graded activities. I think adding personal communication regularly also conveys an added sense of caring, and the opportunity to give more precise status information. Barry Westling

Darcey, Yeah, sometimes the need exists to be able to switch gears mid stream, as that is the best activity for students to learn at that moment. Some of my best back up plans came about from doing some spontaneous "change up" that really served the need. Barry Westling

Carla, A lot of programs have an externship as a required component to the program. For those that don't, an individualized externship would be terrific. Barry Westling

Vicki, Right. I jot notes, impressions, needs, changes, responses, and other comments. Two purposes for me. One is to serve as a reminder about curricular ideas I might forget. The other is as a reflection record regarding how I view things at the time, and for review at a later time. Barry Westling

Travis, Great! Getting tests, homework, quizzes, and other graded material returned promtly helps students get a feel for their progress, but also shows the students their instructor wants to share progress. When I pass back a quiz and someone has done poorly, I make a point to review the quiz individualy with the student. I do it because I want them to understand thei missed information, and I also think that act convey care and concern for the students performance. Barry Westling

Travis, Like many career school instructors, many times we have to "take them as we get them". Often great patience and diligence is required when students prior learning is at different levels. Pretesting can help determine where that "center" lies. Barry Westling

Lori, It's true students enjoy instructors who are energetic, enthusiatic, upbeat, and natural. Being comfortable conveys confidence to students (who are in need of reassurance). Merging fun with instruction makes the learning process more enjoyable. Barry Westling

Travis, Yes, we were hired in part because of our experience in a particular area of study (or muliple areas), and this is something students cannot acquire from books or other media. Barry Westling

Lori, Well, maybe there are some things worse, but none so preventable as organizing and preparing a good solid class session. Students do notice instructor readiness, and I agree that trust and respect can be affected, especially for students who are very serious and when the instructor seems to be wasting time as the result of their non-preparedness. Barry Westling