Barry Westling

Hi Kym: A whole other aspect of using senses is integrating the senses to facilitate learning and retention of information. Point: A cooking class. Smell the ingredients; hear the sound of boiling, sizzling, simmering; look at the color of the fruit or the the appetizing way the plate is set up; etc. In a cooking class, senses are very obvious. The point is that the more senses we can invlove in the learning process, the better the retention. So, maybe recorded mock interviews; how do you sound; look for cues about body language that is positive or negative. That sort… >>>

Hi Kym: Great analogy - thanks for sharing. I think there's a couple of version of informing students. Of course, the formal way, sitting down with a student and informing them where they stand with points or a grade. Another version is less formal and involves a more personal touch, along the lines of encouagement and providing caring advice. Yet another might be concurrent, such as during the class, asking for feedback from students and, based on their responses, providing a cue to the degree the student has adequately answered the question. All methods, if done with respect and coutesey,… >>>

Hi Marian: Yes, and we can all use anything that helps our memories, eh? Personally, I use yellow post-it notes and lined paper inserted in the place in the curiiculum where I'll see it when I prepare for the class. Eventually, permanent material is added to the class notes. But there is a lot of information that is current for a period, is relevant for a time, than sort of becomes less important. This is the kind of stuff that is more temporary. Also, I don't like to have to review numerous pages of personal notes to find "that note… >>>

Hi Maureen: Here are a few suggestions: 1. Get used to having your students present more of the basic information - you can always add to it. 2. Bring in guest speakers. 3. Have a student share what they have experienced or hope to experience in the workforce. From that platform, you can embelish, share your own experience, and/or or instill heartfelt lessons you've learned. Students love stories. 4. If you have access to the web in class, have the students search their profession and have each (or a group) share what they are most excited about. 5. Related to… >>>