Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Diana: You've hit the two main points that describe what pretests are good for: showing the instructor where the student is academically, and helping the instructor design a teaching style that will address what type of learner the student is. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Diana: To paraphrase what you've said, the best idea is to use a variety of teaching methods to address every type of student learner. Activities are best when they are visual, audio, and kinesthetic. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Hi Diana: Great point - rubrics can be a handy way of preventing misunderstandings in grades, or by giving the idea that the instructor is playing favorites. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Laura: Pretests are a great way of not only seeing where the student is academically, but can also show you what kind of student learner you have. Knowing that, you can design more effective lesson plans. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Tim: You make a great point, especially if the trip is designed for students who will be working in that field. In general, these activities offer a fresh perspective for the student, and maybe gives them the chance to ask questions to a different authority on the topic. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Cindy: In addition to showing you pre-knowledge, it can also reveeal what kind of student learner you have, making the design of lesson plans more effective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Alyce: Also, these types of tools can help reveal what kind of student learner you have. By knowing this, we can make more efficent lesson plans that will address the type of learner the student is. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Patrick: Right! These types of activities can serve to renew the student's interest in the topic while offering another perspective on it as well. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Hi Patrick: By using student learning outcomes as a measure of what we want the student to be able to do at the end of the course, we can make more efficient assessments during the course. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Patrick: One idea is to use any kind of pre-planned back up plan regardless as a way of changing the delivery method of that topic. By doing so we can kep the class interesting. Regards, Barry