Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Edric, I have found students are more than willing to ask all kinds of questions when we schedule a guest speaker. It's interesting that they are willing ask relative strangers more questions than they ask me. Perhaps the anonymity of the guest is part of the reason. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Lisa, Electronic grade books are beneficial. These help with the recording of grades. Coming up with the way grades will be calculated is another component altogether. I have found even with electronic grade books, speaking with students frequently and in person gives more power to seeing student improvement. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Sheena, Yes, friendly competition can be a stimulating motivation to be among the better performing students. I like to encourage all students, and give suggestions for improvement I believe will help the students succeed. Personal discussions work better to instill trust between me and my students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

KAI, My focus is on learning and for me, to award extra credit dilutes the accurate reporting of student learning, potentially can inflate grades, can be construed as unfair (by the stronger students who don't need it), and could be a bit slippery and subjective to grade. However, I understand each instructor and institution has to decide what works for them. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Sheena, I agree. I think pretesting is helpful for planning and tweaking the regular game plan. Pretests don't have to be lengthy, comprehensive exams. More like a barometer of questions that give the instructor a sense about where to place more (or less) emphasis. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

KAI, These days so much can potentially ruin a perfectly planned day of needed course material. A good back-up plan is worth it's weight in gold when called into play. Good plans can be seamlessly initiated without the students even knowing that a back up plan is in use. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Lisa, Yeah, games can sort of break down the formality of the routine classroom setting and create a review of material delivered in a fun way. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Tracie, Right on. If SLO's are met, we've done our job. If we can be creative and make class interesting to where students feel satisfied and engaged, all the better, eh? Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

KAI, Personally, I try to keep longer movie clips limited. I will embed a 1-2 minute clip (no longer than 5-minutes) in a PPT, for emphasis and variety. Longer clips, or whole movies tent to create a passive learning environment. Unless an instructional video directly related to their training is available, I try to limit them. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Sheena, Good idea! I think matching the basic content with related media sets well with students and also shows them that their instructor is tuned in to what they need to learn an abundance of information tied to their professional goals. Barry Westling