Barry Westling

Hi Aprilyn: Right, and I think students deserve to know their standing pretty much right up to the minute. Having to wait days or weeks to receive quiz or test scores is not satisfactory. I also agree many students get comptitive with their performance, so they need to know the current progress. Regards, Barry

Hi Raegan: This sounds like a good system. I like that you sit with the student to discuss their performance. I think that may give you an opportunity to talk about other questions the student may have, or even just to content to reinforce your relationship. Regards, Barry

Hi Raegan: Time is a factor. I agree pretesting can't be done all the time. The principle is valuable and the benefit extremely useful. Regards, Barry

Hi Tangelia: These all sound like good ideas. When back up plans are needed, everything else you've planned for the day is probably not working. So, you want to have something that is easy to use, quick to implemment, and relative to the the course of study. Regards, Barry

Hi Tangelia: I think the best media is the presentation delivery that best facilitates instruction and enhances retention of essential material. This usually varies from class to class. Student selection would be OK if it is aligned with course objectives and the teacher will be able to adequetly assess or test on the material. Good post. Regards, Barry

Hi Patsy: Good Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's) should define the basic information a student will learn in a course and the objectives will define how you will go about it. For students in trade professions, these SLO's should align with the ultimate work the student-graduate will be performing when they complete the course. I think you touched on that. Learning is best when it tracks with the course of study. Regards, Barry

Hi Nancy: Standardized anything suggests something bland and mediocre. I think if the objectives are met, then anything else that's relevant I add is complimentary and contributes to the overall learning experience. I understand not all will be able to tweak, and have to to test using preprocessed examinations. I would still maintain that there is opportunity to be creative and customize your course to add some variety and maybe a bit more comprehensive. Regards, Barry

Hi Nancy: What a deligthful post! It was entertaining and informative. I think you provided great examples in favor of this media choice. Thank you for sharing! Regards, Barry

Hi Aprilyn: Most teachers will plan their course before their students begin. When pretests are used, it may provide an indication a need to modify the planned activity with more or less emphasis on one area with more emphasis in another. I think students like to know what's coming up in the course also. Regards, Barry

Hi Aprilyn: I think students tend to be more attentive when there is a guest speaker, and by listening and asking questions, they get more out the time spent then they would have if their own instructor provided the same information. Field trips can be really inspirational as students begin to visualize themselves in their trade or work they're being trained for. Regards, Barry