Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Uwe: These are good media choices. Good teachers are willing to try new or alternative methods to get their students up to speed. The goal is learning and there are many ways to achieve that. Keeping the class interesting while providing meaningful instruction is really quite an art. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Uwe: Great! Also, organization suggests something about the teacher, their willingness to prepare, take time to plan, gather resources, think about ways to engage their students. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Jeremy: Extra credit is related to grades. As teachers, we should be most focused on learning, with grades secondary to teaching course material. Yet, we do assign grades as a common mechanisim to measure learning. I agree extra credit should represent little contribution to the student's grade. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Jeremy: You've described a good use for pretesting. As a planning tool, you can assess then integrate the needed information they're supposed to have into your regular lessons. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Jeremy: You have a good working definition for goal. It would appear if you are successful, so will the student be. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Jeremy: An organized classroom suggests an organized mind of the teacher (may or may not be trure). Butr still, students deserve to have eavery minute count and be productive. It can fun and creative, but there should be little wasted time. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Robert: I cannot comment directly to your question. I can say that grades are just points. What we want to achieve is learning and skills that prepare students for work. Perhaps coupling a weaker student with a brighter student as partners will assist the weaker student learn what's needed. Students like to help their classmates if they're able. Failure is when the student gives up. Until that point, they'll always have a chance. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Robert: Skill testing is kind of of a special category. Yet, if students don't have the practial skills they need for class they will be limited in how you can advance their learning. Some teachers will gathers students with special or certain practical needs into a group and the teacher or a more advanced student can work with the weaker students to bring them up to speed. Another version is to have students demonstrate specific skills, then have the class critique or give suggestions. Practice is the best teacher with manipulative skills. So, extra practice assignments might be in… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Hi Tenisha: You've got a system that works for you - very good. Selecting evaluation should consider assessing learning that has occured. Grades and points may be involved, but they don't have to be. Some teachers simply award a letter grade. But to be objective, good teachers will consider what is most important then create grading that determines how close to learning all of the material did the student achieve. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Tensiha: Good! Pretesting gives the students a preview of what they are going to learn, and often can be a great motivator when they are initially unfamiliar with some aspect of the course but then go on to master it. It can be a great motivator. It helps both the teacher and the student. Regards, Barry