Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Mary: Exactly! These are a great way to renew interest in the topics you've been discussing in class, and provides the students with other people to interact with giving a fresh perspective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi David: Being aware of our strengths and weaknesses as instructors allows us to continually make improvements on both. Making those improvements on BOTH is the main message here. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi David: It sounds like we're discussing specific activities to re-engage off task students. An additional effective idea is to have the instructor navigate throughout the room, putting themselves in closer proximity to the students. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Donna: This is one graet way to incorporate the principle of being a student centered instructor - by encouraging the formation of these kinds of comfort groups can often help weaker students benefit from stronger ones. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Donna: Another thing these tools are good for are that they can show you what kind of student learner you have, which can make for more effective lesson planning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Jill: Very true. There ideally should be a balance between passion about a subject with the other extreme - not enough. Either extreme can serve to distract the student. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Donna: Exactly - these can serve to renew interest in the topics you've been discussing in the classroom, and provide another perspective from a different person. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Kathleen: Right! A great use of teaching journals is that we can make improvements on our strengths AND weaknesses. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Marc: In addition, you might also see what kind of learner the student is, helping to make lesson planning more effective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Earl: The nice thing about what you've described, is that it may give the student a renewed interest in the topic and let them ask questions to others to get a fresh perspective. Regards, Barry