Barry Westling

Hi Carriann: Students get off task for many reasons, among the reasons are personal situations, class distractions, failure to do assigned work, inability to understand, even disinterest. Better instructors will first try to identify what assistance the student needs and then determine to what degree they are able to help. Some situations are beyond the ability of the instructor to help. But if it's an academic matter, we have to at least try to inspire, encourage, and lead towards learning the material. Regards, Barry

Hi Carriann: Good. Students need and deserve to know where they stand in the class Grades and points are really important to students. So we can assist them by providing frequest conversations or at least sharing grades with them. When we discuss grades, that also gives us an opportunity to offer encouragement and suggestions for improvement as well. Regards, Barry

Hi Carriann: Good idea. There are many ways to set the example. I think the point of this question post attempts to underscore the importance of instructor preparation leads to improved student outcomes. As you say, we do want the graduate to be prepared for the workforce. Regards, Barry

Hi Natasha: Yes - and feeding the mind with the needed information for successful workplace achievement. Regards, Barry

Hi Carriann: Good examples. Of course there are other senses (such as pressure, temperature, balance, pain, etc) but I would imagine these are less useful in most learning situations. I can say though, the skilled crafsman sense in the pressure of an instrument or the correct balance can be quite meaninful. You're right though, we usually don't get enough time to explore these multifaceted experiences. Regards, Barry

Hi Carriann: True - most students in vocational education entered school to learn a trade. So our focus should always be reinforcing that big picture why they're there and their puropse in being successful. As instructors we are uniquely equiped to do just that. Regards, Barry

Hi Pierre: Yes, I agree. That art of seeing the student within and cultivating the raw talent residing and awaiting discovery is a very important attritibute good instructors should cultivate. We've missed the boat if we don't acknowledge, at least to some degree, it's importance. Great post! Regards, Barry

Hi David: Good, true sentiments! You know, in your particular profession, it occurs to me that even minor errors could have significant adverse effects on patrons and customers. So, not being fully prepared really is not an acceptable option. Instilling that importance to students may be difficult (or not), but it surely needs appropriate emphasis. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: I have commented much about the slippery slope of deciding to award extra credit or not. I can argue both sides. Personnaly, allowing some wiggle room (extra credit or extra consideration) on individual assignments makes sense because it's limited to just one category. But to add a whole category of just extra points really skews the grades, and is unfair to students who have truly earned their passing grades. So, in an indirect manner, extra credit is a fairness question, at least in part. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: Yes, planning often involves some degree of "guessing" the approximate amount of time that will be needed to cover a particular topic thoroughly. By pre-testing we may find that more emphasis in one or more areas may be needed, and that will probably involve making adjustments to the curriculum or course syllabus. Regards, Barry