Barry Westling

Barry Westling

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Hi Mark: Journalizing is really such a simple concept but very powerful to instructors who value making continuous quality imporovement to their courses. Regards, Barry
Hi Fernando: I think students excel best when they learn the required material and are graded fairly. Regards, Barry
Hi Lauraine: My goodness, you're right, personality provides such an important contribution to effective instruction. Delivery is almost as important as the content being presented. Students are always going to be more receptive to likable instructors they perceive as approachable and willing to help them with their studies. The good thing is this can be a learned behavior that nearly anyone improve and implemment if they are willing to be better teachers. Regards, Barry
Hi Lauraine: I agree with you. These guests and tours add a dimension that's hard to duplicate in the classroom and students usually like the break in the routine. As you allude to, there is information and stimulation that may open up thought, questions, or technical aspects about the profession. These events may also contribute to increased motivation and enthusiasm by students. Regards, Barry
Hi Regan: Good points. I noticed you said "try to correct weaknesses". I agree. The hard part is knowing how to assess where a weakness exists and then (perhaps even more difficult), being willing to adapt, modify, or make adjustments in that weaker trait. I think better instructors are willing to adjust their behavior when they learn of defiencies in an effort to help their students. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, some individuals are relunctant or just refuse to make personal changes, even when they are made aware or or become apparent. Regards, Barry
Hi Keith: Great point. Journalizing takes time but oftentimes it can come in real handy (as you suggest). Regards, Barry

Hi Stephen: I agree if we can make the material more interesting we are going to have better student performance. Our experience is usually what has broght us to teach a particular class. But to the student, they have little experience, at least to start with. So we want to take that moldable clay and turn it into someone who is safe, knowlegeable, and employable in the workforce. That has to be done on a 1-to-1 basis - an individual student to teacher connection for the student to feel as though the teacher really cares about their learning and successfulness.… >>>

Hi Carlos: You're right. I think students benefit from field trips too.The memory of, and connection with the workforce they will soon become a part of is retained by most students. Plus, it gives the students a break from the routine. Regards, Barry
Hi Lou: If EC is given, there should be firm guidelines on how it should be administered, under what conditions, and to what degree. I think this is best done in writing and discussed on the first day of class. I agree grades and points are secondary to leraning the required course material. What good is it if the assignment is to "make a cake", but the student can only "make soup"? It sounds like you have established a system that works for you in your classes. Regards, Barry
Hi Lou: It sounds like you've put some thought into you planning for back up. Good thoughtful consideration. I think of back up in the sense that every possible thing I've planned for the day goes out the window for some reason. Now what? So, I 've found that easy to use, pull down from the shelf activities that are very low tech and can used in any environment on a moments notice are the most successful. Perhaps your plans are similar. Regards, Barry

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