Barry Westling

Hi Mardi: I think pretests can also create a preview to the students of what's ahead in the course and that gives the teacher an opportunity discuss specific aspects of the course and perhaps what to begin to plan for in the coming weeks of the course. Done well, this can provide insight and interest in the course. Regards, Barry

Hi Mardi: Personality can play a great part in the interest the students have in the class too. Sometimes the teacher needs feedback to let know whether they're projecting an exciting, energetic, enthusiastic and upbeat image. The teacher may have to work at it but students will just do better in a environment that's very positive and where the teacher cares about the students and their success. Regards, Barry

Hi Mardi: I agree and think students will model what they see their instructor doing. So, if the teacher is learly to class, has everything prepared, resources organized, and class ready to go, they set the example. Regards, Barry

Hi Todd: Filed trips and guest speakers are valuable because they are enjoyable by the strudents and often can offer a perspective that is difficult to duplicate by other media or instructional methods. I try to "prime" the speaker with specific topics to add into what they have to say, but even if they just speak about the working environment, it keeps the stuednts interest. Regards, Barry

Hi Todd: When we give students frequent updates, it provides an opportunity to also reinforce our relationship by expressing care, suggestions, or advice about the course, or even back-side parts of a students life. Some are shy but some are willing to open up. When that happens, this sharing status is usually appreciated by the students. Regards, Barry

Hi Todd: Yup! Pretesting can also be used by faculty as a curriculum planning tool as well. Some institutions don't allow too much deviation in how much lattitude the teacher has in modifying the daily lessons. But pretesting can be a great help when there is an ability to tweak the course based on results of pretesting. Regards, Barry

Hi Todd: As educators, I think the goal is to transfer our specific knowledge to students. Of course we rely on a variety of resources to do this. Regards, Barry

Hi Todd: As instructors we are responsible and accountable to our students to give the necessary information reqired in the course. Taking questions is certainly among those tasks. I think students questioning is a higher leval of learning, and they seem to retain information better when they are involved anhd participate in class this way. Regards, Barry

Hi Gerald: Connecting with your students to keep them posted of their status is a valuable activity that also allows you the opportunity to reinfornce and strengthen your relationship while you are sharing the academic information. Students appreciate the time and effort a teacher takes, especially if they sense that you care about their success. Regards, Barry

Hi Alpha: Most schools precribe a present curriculum to follow, with variations in how much academic freedom an instructor has in adjusting their course to meet the objectives. Student centered teachers will want to grasp where the cumulative core of their students are at and put more emphasis on those areas where the need exists, and where the students would benefit most. Of course, the course objectives have to be met, but there are many ways to achieve that, and it's great when the instruction is reaching the students rather than presenting just our preplanned methods. Regards, Barry