Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Rick: Good - there are many variations and some are quite simple, others more elaborate. As you indicated, these do help understand where the students are at in their prior learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Rick: Students can use multiple senses in their study as well. For example: Writing and rewriting notes; summarizing notes to index cards, reading aloud from index cards, recording themselves reading notes; playing back and listening to themselves. Seems like a lot of time but once started it's really not that much extra time. But the results are quite beneficial. Retention successfulnes is related to repitition. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Alyson: You're right - every student is unique and it's terrific when we can customize or treat each with the needs thats best helps or assist them achieve successfulness in our class. Just like our own kids, each one requires just a little bit of unique attention. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Alyson: Your fortunate your students have that kind of access. I have that too, but, like you, I find it still necessary to connect in a personal way frequently enough to satisfy myself my students know where they're at, and what can be done to improve. I offer advice, suggestions, encouragement, and reinforcement of their capacity to do as well as they want to try for. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Jamie: This is cool! Having an interest in knowing where your students are similar or differ is an indication a teacher truly wants their students to benefit from their classes. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Kate: Great example that demonstrates how relatively simple to identify a field trip location that's relevant to the course. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Erik: Great plan and smart on your part. The trick is to make sure whatever is added or substitued as a back-up is relevant (which you say your lessons are) to the current topic. A variation of what you're doing is get your students into groups and have them dig out assigned information, then have the group write out 2-5 questions. You can then use these (or their essence) to make a quiz. Yes, some students will recognize their question(s), but they'll have earned the points from the studying they had to do to be able to create those… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Erik: Well, you're preaching to the choir. I feel EC is more typically used as a grade adjuster than an adjunct that positively contributes to improved learning. Each teacher (or institution) has to decide what works best for them. I just think more than a little bit of adjustment (via EC) cannot be used as a substitute for required learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Alyson: Boy, general interaction among your students with a drive to empathize. I can't believe students would not benefit being in the awesome environment. Good post - thanks for sharing Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Alyson: You understand the limitations of your institution. Still, I would suggest that a pretest could incorporated into your lesson or somewhere in the curriculum. Maybe not possible, but this tool truly is beneficial to teachers. Regards, Barry