Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Eileen: Back up plans come in in all shapes and sizes. There are those plans that are used when the resources you'eve planned for are not available for whatever reason (technology, overhead lightbuld, etc). Then, there's the plans for assuring the teacher has enough pertinent material to cover the duration of the class period. This pertains to too much and too little. Another kind of back up plan is when, through circumstances not your own, your whole lesson has to be changed to another day (guest speaker fails to appear, students are not ready to move forward, etc). The… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi David: Glad you've found something useful from the forum. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

Hi Linda: Good balance and variety. The more activities means the student is going to be more strimulated and exposed different learning methods, so is likely to learn and retain more readily. And as you say, you're more likely to reach different leraning styles when a variety of activities are used. Breaking the class up so not one media or activity occupys too much time also helps. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Angela: Well, there's no right or wrong. I think extra credit given in substitution for assigned work is unfair, subjective to grade, and skews the class grades. EC is about points and grades and less about learning. But what you describe is available to all students, is graded the same way, and begins at the beginning of the course. I think this is a sound grading practice. It's similar to dropping the lowest quiz score. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Wanda: Sounds like your institution has adopted a sure fire method to at least inform your students of their progress. I'm sure you probably alsi share ideas, advice, and suggestions for improvement while you're at it. This is also a great time to offer careing words, encouragement and support which sjow the student you care about their success. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Linda: I think all students possess a little bit of the three main learning styles to some degree. For me, I use a lot of variety in media and resources and (I hope) by incorporating many different activities, I touch enough on presentation methods that reach the differenty student learning styles. I've also done learning style assessments, which is a little bit helpful. I've found that these assessments are not always truely accurate, so I don't depend exclusively on them. But they're a good initial guide. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

Hi Wanda: Sound like there's a lot of activity, which is good,a s more activity contribute to better learning and retention. I make sure my course objectives and student learning outcomes are being covered, then I think about the current state of practice for my profession, and between these, the course content begins to fill out. The next step is to choose the best media and esources to present and deliver the information. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Sabrina: Helathcare offer many opportunities for sensory invlovement. But that doesn't mean senses can't be used successfully in other disciplines as well. The more senses involved, the better the retention is going to be. So maybe, writing notes, reading notes into a recorder, listening to that recording as the notes are re-read, and transfering the information to study cards so they can used to test a classmate or visaversa. Simple, but effective (although extra time is involved). Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Sabrina: I think the most obvious way a student relates to their teacher is by their personality. We can be the best at what we do, or have an awesome curriculum, but if our personality doesn't connect, falls, flat, is boing or offish in some way, the students will not benefit as much. We want to be authentic - natural versions of ourselves and not some artificial version of someone else, as students will perceive that as insincere. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Sabrina: Very true. Also, our effectiveness is measured by both our self perceived idea of being ready and the students perception of readiness. Having our lessons planned, resources ready, being available questions, and taking time for class delivery in a calm relaxed manner, transitioning from topic to topic - student's will recognize the time, effort, thought, and planning, which may contribute to improved respect and trust. Regards, Barry