Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Stephen: Wow, how the senses are involved in your specialty area! Instruction in your area must by necessity include the senses. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Stephen: Well, you're probably a good dancer nonetheless! Seriously, students remember teachers, lessons, activities that are entertaining. I think it's because they become open to whatever activity is occuring, and once they're open - bingo! - we caught them. Variety and creativeity are always better received than a "talking head" kind of delivery. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Stephen: Yes, and that's why the focus has to be on learning and prepared more so than grades. I've this comment many times regarding evaluating students, the importance is if we've adequetly prepared them. The grade is really a secondary (and separte) subject. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Stephen: Of course, you are right. I was giving more of a scientific kind of answer. As good teachers all of the attributes you describe and more are incorporated into the goal of educating students. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi George: I am of the mind that good teachers are able to work with what they have. That may be in the form of physical or facility resources, to classroom and media delivery resources. If I have a piece of chalk and a board, I could make that work. Currently, the electronic classroom seems to be encroaching into everything a teacher is involved with. For more seasoned teachers this has proven to be a challenge for some. But it's state of the art. My point is we use what we have, whether it's mandated or we craete it. If… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Lydia: Yep - only one chance to make a good first impression! A teacher's preparation will assure the students get all the needed information and being organized will make it interesting and creative. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Ricardo: Good point - avoid misunderstanding. A class should have a pupose and keeping the student posted as to their status in achieving the goals or purpose of the class seems like a natural occurence. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Frederic: I agree keeping your percentage low is good. Some teachers make a distinction between bonus points and extra credit. In some ways, they're similar. But I think bonus points is a fairer way to give some students a boost. Usually this is an optional question that may be tougher or require more from the student. To me, that makes sense to reward the student with bonus credit. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Ricardo: Right. Assists planning and may remove some of the anxieties associated with a class. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Frederic: When beginning a class most students are curious what to expect. We can tell them information, but pretesting tells both teacher and student something about the level of the class and some of the planning that may be needed for successfulness of strong and weaker students. Regards, Barry