Barry Westling

Hi Susan: I think respect can be one of of the extra bonuses of being organized. Mostly, though, it should be a planning activity that takes effort and thought - and should be regular practice. I think students will see the teacher in a better light (i.e. respectful) when they observe regular organization by their instructor. Regards.l Barry

Lydia: I think in your case, it's not extra credit but extra opportunity. Perhaps a better word is bonus or bonus opportunity. Some teachers are strongly against awarding any at all, while others teachers embrace it, and some institutions mandate it. I think it just has to be fair if it's done, whatever we call it. Regards, Barry

Hi Mark: I think there is always room for improvement. So, I tend to think about my strong suits and how I can integrate them into my presentation and facilitation delivery in class. Weakness to me is really just an opportunity to improve. Having trusted peer instructors audit my class for critique, student evaluations, even video taping presentations can be helpful tools to make me a stronger teacher. But it's an ongoing, never ending process, because the stream of students is always changing. Regards, Barry

Hi Elizabeth: Yes, and they'll care the most when the teacher is emphasizing the core topics designed to be presented in a class. Outcomes define what a student will know or be able to do when the unit is complete. Course objectives give us the steps to achieveing success on the outcomes. Regards, Barry

Hi Richard: Animated instructors are fun to be around and tend to keep the class more focused and engaged then less active instructors. Tone, emphasis, body language - these can all give the student obvious or latent clues to what is important and aids the memory and retention process. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: Sure! So as role models, we can demonstrate daily preparation and organization to convey what successful professionals do. Organization also helps the teacher plan for individual or special needs their students may need. Oraganization really takes time and effort to be effective. Regards, Barry

Hi Richard: I agree, filed trips can be inspirining. When students can envision themselves performing a particular task or doing a certain job, that can produce an internal desire to do as well as they can in scheool to have the vision realized. Regards, Barry

Hi Ken: My adaptation of Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's) define the basic knowledge and skill set a student will be exposed to in a class. Course onjectives follow SLO's, and resources and delivery of the course content follow the course objectives. Hopefully, students learn something from this hierarchy of educational pedagogy! Regards, Barry

Hi Ken: I agree that prepared and organized teachers will be evident to all - especially the students. Recognition of the competence and readiness to teach them aslo helps build trust and respect with your students. Regards, Barry

Hi Robert: Glad you were able to benifit from the advice! Barry