Barry Westling

Tamikah, Yes, pretesting aligns with student cenetered learning. We may have a prepared curriculum with information we know we want to present. But if the class is knowledgeable on one or more aspects to begin with, more time could possibly be spent on other important material that students have difficulty mastering. So pretesting is really a tool for the instructor, but helps the students in the end. Barry Westling

Ryan, Sounds good. Involving students is always a better way for students to learn. Case studies or situation-based questions help develop critical thinking skills. And students who possess good critical thinking skills are bound to do better as workers in their chosen caeer. Barry Westling

Ryan, Most courses have daily objectives. These lead to more general corse objectives. A higher order is the student learning outcomes (SLO's). These help instructors determine if, and to what degree the students have mastered the material. We all have hopes all our students will do well. The SLO's are a way we can measure the successfulness of of hopes. Barry Westling

Tamikah, This is a good example for role playing. For daily lessons, I think instructors who portray authentic, genuine versions of themselves receive the best response from their students. Today's students are savvy, and they can detect a "put-on" performance, different from a sincere, honest instructor set to help them. For me, that's what separates just OK instructors from really exceptional ones. Barry Westling

Ryan, It's a fact, aduylt learners expect (and deserve) a prepared instructor, knowledgeable, helpful, and willing to facilitate learning outcomes. To them, it doesn't matter that they might not always be prepared, but that doesn't change expectations for their instructors. I for one, believe we have to be readied and organized in our delivery regardless of the student's level of readiness. We are paid to do a job. The student is paying us for a service or "product". Barry Westling

Tamikah, I think an organized mind makes for an organized presentation. Having all needed resources, materials, lecture notes, and a plan of action for the day's instruction largely determine instructor effectiveness. With readied resources, the class runs smoother, the instructor is prepared for both expected and unexpected interruptions (i.e., student questions), and make more a memorable and more enjoyable instyructional period. Barry Westling

Brenda, That's it! There are all kinds of student instructional delivery methods, but in the end, we need to be sure we have provided sufficient learning outcomes for students. The student learning outcomes (SLO's) are a method that provide a way to measure the degree of student learning that occured. Barry Westling

Brenda, Yes, I agree. It's a fact that not all topics can have a directly related hands on activity. So, the instructors affect, such as energetic, enthusiastic, animated, can help make these topics more interesting. It's just hard not to be engaged and focused when the instructor is able to captivate the class because they make it interesting to be there and participate. Barry Westling

Tamikah, And it's unfortunate that some instructors fail to recognize their students will notice when they are not fully prepared. I wonder if these instructors forget they are being paid to be prepared? Barry Westling

Renita, Good point, one that both illuminates the benefits of field trips and underscores the importance of conveying confidence and competence in the instructional process. Unfortunately, students often are unable to see the whole picture of the instructional curriculum, leading to a less than positive attitude at times. Barry Westling