Barry Westling

Hi Caroline: The easy to manage part can be easy, if some initial work is` put into it. If its electronic, you may need help from your IT guys to set something up. Many publishers will also provide grading software if you use their products. Fairness is probably best addressed using a grading rubric. This tool provides a pretermined decsion about how a grade will be assigned that both teacher and student use from the first class until completion. Regards, Barry

Hi Samantha: Yeah, I went from sticking scraps of paper to folded lined sheets, to note cards, to an index in the front of the binder of items or bits of information to update. Regards, Barry

Hi Brendan: Good idea, Brendan. Often, when succesive classes are closely sequenced together notes that align with successful pesentations and class sessions are are great tools to improve future classes. Ideas sometimes come spontaneously and unless they're noted somewhere, they may be lost forever. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: I like your attitude about extra credit. Emphasis on "supplement" vs substitution. A mistake some teachers make is allowing extra credit to be substituted for missed assignments that are germaine to the core course topics. That credit may help achieve a grade but I don't think it helps in the learning process that much. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: Getting your students trust is huge! They'll be more open to you, even if you have to correct them. This is a very important attribute all teachers should learn to do. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: Redirecting is good. If students are being distrated by room decor, I suggest to play into that distraction. How about getting either an easel with large note pad, or just the newer Post-It sticky poster paper. When student seem to be distrated, walk over to the poster and write a key word, illustration, term, or bullet point. Essentailly, you're refocusing the students to your change of direction, and you're assisting their learning by writing needed informatiom. Seems like a simple way to redirect wandering eyes. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: I learned to journalize by just writing a note and slipping it inside the lecture for review later or for the next time I teach that lesson. I don't correlate organized notes well to my lessons because they are always a bit different in emphasis and delivery. But having a note helps remind me of someting I thought was important sometime in the past. Regards, Barry

Hi Amy: Changing up the routine adds a dimension to the classroom that provides interest and curiosity. Speakers create that kind of spark, and tours do show students a view of their profession not available to the classroom or lab. Regards, Barry

Hi Thelma: Great. Mo' better (sic). Regards, Barry

Hi Thelma: Good planning, Thelma! These describe great examples that seem to be perfect for your topic area, and they are conducted in the spirit of what back-up plans are all about! Regards, Barry