Barry Westling

Cecilia, You're right....it is important to the students. We need to convey to students that their progress is important to us. Therefore, regular, early on, and frequent sharing of information (or providing electronic access) along with our advice and suggestions are effective ways for students to receive direction towards success in the class. Barry Westling

Janis, Many instructors would agree with this sentiment. EC may a role in some classes, but for me, I prefer not to use it in substitution for learning the assigned material in class. Barry Westling

Elizabeth, Your course objectives is a good place to start. then I would tink about activities that students can can do that support meeting them. Discussion (group, pair-share), active use of the flip chart and white board (involving students), demonstrations (facilitated by students), and participative review of course topics are among methods instructors may organize their their classes to involve students. Barry Westling

Doris, In some courses, EC is probably okay. In my medical courses, awarding EC could have dangerous results, as students need to know the material. If a student is missing a lot of time, perhaps a LOA is needed, or retaking the class. But I have difficulty for my classes giving EC points for assignments when the assigned work has not been completed. It's not fair to other students, and may not even be safe. However, I believe each instructor and institution has to decide what works best for them. Barry Westling

Bev, You're right. I read things instructors do all the time and realize, "wow, I hadn't thought about that". I've found these lessons to be beneficial both as instructor and student. Barry Westling

Doris, Knowing where to put emphasis is a great way to approach teaching a class, and pretesting is one way to obtain that knowledge. Barry Westling

Megan, I think technology in general has helped in educating students. But I also like to remind myself that technology, whatever it be, is merely a tool, and tools are used for specific purposes. They should not (and really, cannot) be a substitute for a knowledgeable, experienced, trained educator who can guide students through the course curriculum. Barry Westling

Doris, For me, job readiness and critical thinking help my students and graduates be successful, and that's what I strive for. Barry Westling

Doris, We are the ones students look to for guiding them successfully through their courses. Therefore, preparation is key to being that important asset to accomplish both student and goals for meeting student learning objectives. Barry Westling

Gary, Sure. Understanding how a grade at a certain point in time is derived can help reduce the anxiety just by knowledge. Accurate information, conveyed with sincerity and kindness, can do much to provide an avenue to guide towards improvement or achievement of personal goals. Barry Westling