Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Mark: Guest speakers can be inspired, informational, quality sources of useful information students can find great value from because it potentially provides an inner motivation or drive that produces a vision of working the student realizes is possible. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Annette: Pretesting is a great way to get to know your students knowledge, or lack of, and assists with the instructor making fine tuning or tweaks to the existing curriculum in order to assur the best balance of emphasis on key topics. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Margilane: Sure, when students see that a teacher has put a lot of time and energy, thought and preparation, and planning into a class, they'll realize the teacher cares, is interested in the subject matter, and is enthusiastic about sharing it. Students appreciate teachers who are prepared. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Heidi-Jo: I think frequent updates about grade and course status is very important. Everyone wants to know how they're doing, so this is a great opportunity to not only share grades, but offer encouragement and support, care and concern, and demonstrate to the student the teacher really cares about student success. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Heather: I think field trips should be mandatory. They offer so much and can't be duplicated in the classroom, yet they can have so much impact on students. They can inspire and motivate like no other activity. For some, they can visualize (maybe for the first time) themselves achieving something worthwhile and earning a good living. For many, that's a powerful inner drive, that can even make students wirk harder in class as a result. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Heather: Good poits. I think one foundational component is assuring we meet the course goals and objectives, and student learning outcomes. If these have been well written, we will have provided the student with the fundamental information to carry on to subsequent classes and their chosen career fields. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Heather: Yeah, when we are prepared and organized, it's like we're ready and open for business. We have our materials, lessons are planned, media checked and operational, handouts copied. Even in class eraly to set up the room and greet students as they enter, to chat, or answer or ask questions - just being there for them. These action and many others suggest time, thought and planning went into this class and the students will appreciate the effort. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Heidi-Jo: It REALLY heightens interest. So many students can be really inspiraed by a good field trip, so much so they will begin to do better in class. When a students gets an inner drive to succeed, there's not much to impede that inner motivation and drive, and field trips and good guest speakers can create that. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Julie: I am all for enhanced learning. I'm one who does not favor grade inflation. Extra credit can do that. It can be subjective, viewed as unfair by good and lesser performing students, difficult to grade fairly or consistently, and if it's not available to all, then it can be argued there is favoritism (although I know that's not the intent). But these are the reactions and negative experiences I've encountered. Therefore, I just don't give it. I feel if it's important to know, and to grade, then it should be a part of the class and stated so… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Sarah: Maintaining discipline, or let's say managing class control is one of those activities that has to be acted on by teachers periodically. I've told students, "I don't like to be a policeman, but I know how". And sometimes that's the case, even to the point of stopping class and escorting a student out of the room. Occasions such as this are rare and often do not end up positively for the student. Regards, Barry