Barry Westling

Anthony: Several pearls of wisdom are tuked in this post. Good observation! Regards, Barry

Hi Philipp: I really like one of the points you make in your post about maximising the experience of learning the different personalities you come in contact with. As students, they will quickly pick up on the fact that you are truly interested in them and their success, and that can go a long ways towards contributing to their academic success. Regards, Barry

Hi Judith: You bet! We all have self perceptions that - right or worong - are reality to us. Therefore all efforts to get a good dose of reality by working on both strengths and weaknesses can only be beneficial in the end. Regards, Barry

Hi Ray: Providing a variety of media resources can be helpful by bringing to life an otherwise so-so topic. And I agree that sometimes - but not always - the students come up with interesting and effective choices that I would not have thought about using. Regards, Barry

Marcelo: Very nicely said. Regards, Barry

Hi Lois: Boy, getting that component weight set is a biggie. It's important because if not done with care, we may inadvertently place too much weight on an area we think is impotant and unitentionally deny an otherwise worthy student due credit for true learning. What a shame if that was to happen. Regards, Barry

Hi Lois: You've idenfied a couple of commom problems many instructors face. When you receive new students from another teacher who has a completely different approach than your own, that can pose an adjustment problem for the students. Your combination lecture/discussion solution seems to be an ideal method to help with adjusting the students to your manner and expectations. Also. I wopuld guess it helps "open up" the shy ones, as you've indicated. Good post. Regards, Barry

Hi Philipp: You teach in a very unique setting that allows a variety of sensory media: both in the kinds of foods and in the kinesthetic use of specialized tools. Your students probably learn to exel or fail based on these "media". Regards, Barry

Hi Philipp: Subjectivity in testing is certainly a challenge to avoid but oh, so important. Regards, Barry

Hi Cynthia: Very nice - adjusting to your students learning styles. I'm sure that proves to be very helpful to both you and the students as they progress and begin to understand your methods. Regards, Barry