Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Steve: You've touched on several great points. Committed faculty will always be looking to enlarge their "tool box". I think sharing ideas and peer review are good strategies to garner feedback about the relative worthiness of toolbox ideas. Admittedly, this takes courage and openness. But the outcome can be tremendous. The flip side, as you've indicated, is the apathetic instructor unaware, unable or unwilling to make changes, improvement, or introduce alternate material. I suspect that students pick up on this lack of interest too. Worse is when they don't - then the student is going suffer as the result.… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting media for your classes

Hi Steve: Your organizational approach is quite systematic! I try to remember that students have their own learning style preference. So that's where your 3rd step would be especially important - engaging and participating at the level they're most likely to learn best. I also find that I don't always know with certainty which learning style is dominant. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing An Evaluation System

Hi Tim: There are pros and cons to every kind of evaluation. Although not always easy, we want to be able to "tune in" to the students to determine to what degree they have acquired the desired skills and/or learning. + Pretesting can alert students to what they can expect is later assessments. + Study guides help separate the "nice to know" from the "need to know". + Well written learning objectives really tell the student in advance what is nexpected of them. With these and other assessment preparations performed, the opportunity to employ a variety of testing formats becomes… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Methods to develop backup plans

Hi Tim: It's always amazing how much helpful information others have if they feel it is being solicited for honest and open improvement for students. Perhaps a slightly different spin on this creative idea would be to seek both kinds of tools, ie., those that have worked successfully, and those that have bombed (I'd especially want to know about those!). Of course, not every group is going to respond the same way. Experience is having your mistakes behind you. That is, you're more comfortable with what usually works and what usually flops based on past trials and successes. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting media for your classes

Hi Tim: This is a very interesting activity. It may not be applicable in every setting but it is definitely a very creative use of the technology. What also stands out is the active participation created by the 3-D living component. It's said that the more senses you can involve in the learning process the more likely the student is to learn and remember. Good post - Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Steve: Good thoughts. I think the key word in your comment is facilitator, i.e., to help, assist, support, share, listen, demonstrate...etc. It's like when the instructor is serious about their students learning, they're going to give all they have. And that will work best when the instructor understands his/her strengths and limitations. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing An Evaluation System

Hello Ron: You've got a good appproach. If we think about the end (evaluation or assessment) when we're at the beginning (planning and delivery) we're sure to measure with accuracy what essential information is pertinent. Good thoughts, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Methods to develop backup plans

Hi Ron: Nice analogy. As to back-up plans we might think of it like "variations on a theme" and at times, "playing by ear". However, if we are prepared, we can "play it by heart" every time due to our preparation. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting media for your classes

Hi Ron: You're right. In fact, very few learners rely on only one learning style, and use an amalgamate of the three primary learning styles and the multiple intelligencies. The more senses that are introduced into the learning plan, the more likely the student will recall and use the information appropriately. Good point - Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Ron: You've hit on a important tenet of preparing your classes - we really do have to be a "chameleon" and "Jack-of-all-trades" so to speak. That will help us relate to the most variety of students. Also important to recognize is each instructor has their own style, preferences, perspectives, etc. which contribute to that bouquet of interaction leading to the quality instruction. Regards, Barry