Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Melinda, I agree that it doesn't take as much thought and planning to find and coordinate a good field trip as many instructors might think. Students enjoy them, they motivate and stimulate interest, and regardless when in the term they're planned, they're a welcome break from the routine. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

James, More involvement with senses such as hands on, will only contribute to better student outcomes. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Brenda, Learning outcomes help define what it is to be learned at the end of a course. "The "what". We use daily objectives to attain these. The "How". I'm not surprised to see emergence of SLO's into allied-educational items, such as credentialing and licensing, as it really is a process that can be applied in many settings. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Jamie, I think a big part of the student centered thing is successfully carried out by just being ourselves and acting as we would anyone we were sincerely trying to help. It's sort of like removing the facade of teacher|student, and moving more towards student and teacher working together. It takes more time sometimes but the student benefit is worth it to me. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Michael, That's great. When instructors try, even a little, to recognize differences, and make accommodations for those differences, students will respond, and get more out of the class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Michael, Student recognition is such a motivator. Whenever I can I try to reference one of the students in a positive way, such as "John was telling me that....etc. When students feel included they're more apt to participate, share, engage, and retain. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Joyce, Sounds like a fun and engaging exercise. I think whenever we can involve students in routine or special activities, they're bound to take more interest, retain more information, and relate their activity to the topic at hand. For instance, if I'm lecturing, I'll have a student come and be my "write on the board" guy. That way, I can circulate around and better engage students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Michael, My thoughts are slightly different but on the same track. Be fair, honest and sincere. Give all effort to every class with energy, upbeat, and enthusiasm. Know your topic, and present it as simply as possible. Encourage students at every opportunity. Finally, be there for my students (be aware of them their needs and ways that I can help them). Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Thomas, Right. I'm sure it's no surprise that every class has it's own personality. Therefore, even though the course objectives or student learning outcomes may be fixed, how an instructor goes about achieving them may have to be modified according to that class's learning needs and uniqueness. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

James, I agree, and that interaction can be especially important when sharing progress made in a class, when making sugesstions to individual students for improvements they may need, or sometimes just supportive words and encouragement to keep up doing what they're doing. Barry Westling