Barry Westling

Hi Cindy: Great use for pretesting and planning specific areas of emphasis. Your preview saving time is a great time management tool too. Regards, Barry

Hi Arlene: I think one way to try to assure we stay on track is to have solid core learning objectives. If everything we do ties back to these objectives, we should do okay. Regards, Barry

Hi Arlene: Thanks, just a way to express the point that although field trips can be time consuming, they can also be instructive. It is best when the experience is well timed and aligned with the course curriculum. Oftentimes it is not, but the expereience is still remembered and appreciated by students. Regards, Barry

Hi Kym: Yes, our place is do our best to educate our "trustees" while they're in our charge. This can hard and soft skills (hard is the core professional topics; soft are the professional things such as language, appearance, attendance, courtesy and respect). I believe as role models and expierenced individuals in our trade we are equipped to teach both. Regards, Barry

Hi Janet: You've got a good point. I think most successful gradutes remain in their jobs longer because they possess both the technical and employment rules (hard and soft skills) required of them. I believe mor people lose their jobs due to failure to adhere to soft emmployme4nt skills. Your emphasis on both seems to contribute to a well rounded student. Regards, Barry

Hi Janet: Great! If they're struggling I think most students are more willing to try harder when they know that information early on. Your sensitivity and psychology in giving your students a sense of accomplishment by sequencing easier assignments at the begining is notable. Regards, Barry

Hi Carlos: You've got a good point about focus, or perhaps we could say emphasis. If your curriculum allows for it I think it's wonderful when a teacher can tweak their couse to better match the level of the class participants by providing the emphasis where it will add the most to the student learning. Regards, Barry

Hi Carlos: We want to be relatable to our students. I think regular grade sharing and discussion assists the student see that the instructor is willing and wanting to help their students be successful and earn the best grades possible. It also gives an opportunity to be a little more natural and demonstrate compassion (if needed) when students are struggling in their courses. Regards, Barry

Hi Janet: You make a good point. We've all had intersting, fun, and enjoyable teachers. We've probably also had teachers that were dull, boring, and less than exciting - even though they may been the most knowlegeable teachers around. I think it's true that students will learn better in an environment they're comfortable in. Feedback from peers, students, evaluations, classroom observations, these all can help provide clues to where a teacher may need to liven things up a bit. Even sitting in some of their peers classes can be helpful. Our focus - student learning. Regards, Barry