Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Erin, Yes, we need to convey we are ready, prepared, knowledgeable, competent, and confident. Those preparations, along with being approachable, patient, good sense of humor, being authentic and sincere will provide a good platform for the students to give us their trust and respect. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Elizabeth, Good point. We need to be both knowledgeable and flexible in our preparation so that when "whatever" happens, we can be free to modify and adjust, hopefully with little disruption to the regular flow. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

David, I think you are doing a wonderful job of keeping your students informed, given all the communication you provide in the short time period available. Your students should appreciate the effort you provide to keep them informed. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Elizabeth, Students have to learn the material. How we assess to what degree the student has learned is another story, and I think it's reasonable to be flexible with testing methods for smart students who have a true testing disability. At some point every student has to be able to demonstrate their content knowledge. And if we're preparing students for jobs, that end goal has to be the focus. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Elizabeth, Yes, and most instructors who use a pretest find it also informs them where more emphasis may be needed, and less time spend on an area where students are doing well already. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Elizabeth, Right. Thought, memories, ideas - all things like this can get lost in the "world of good intentions" unless we find a way to capture them in a repository for later review.The journal is one way to corral them all in one place. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Jennifer, The field trip is a different setting that is unlike anything found at the school classroom or lab. Students can put themselves in an imaginary setting that is closer to the work setting than can be experienced at school. These can be very ispirational times for some students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Justine, Policies vary and decisions about whether to award EC has to be decided by the instructor and institution. I always have to ask, "what benefit to learning does giving points really do?" Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Robert, Last point very important. Even the best plans are useless if no one benefits. So getting continuous feedback about how the students are receiving the lesson material is vital. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Nicholas, Sure. The live chat can be of two formats, both mostly used in OL classes. The basic premise is the same in that students get an opportunity to dialog with their instructor in real time. One format has prepared questions by the instructor, who releases them over the course of say, an hour. After each question, students chime in via their OL delivery platform, and the instructor interacts with the students comments. The other, perhaps the preferred method, has the instructor with prepared questions, and students can hear their instructor speak and discuss the questions, with students chiming in… >>>