Barry Westling

Hi Stacy: What you describe can sometimes be addressed quite well by using a grading rubric. This tool provides a matrix for assessing student performance on an escalating scale, with descriptions for each level. It makes choosing the degree to which a student has mastered the material easier to document. Regards, Barry

Hi Peter: Fairness and consistency are certaintly two of the most common and important aspects of any assessment. A rhetorical question I like to ask is "does the assessment assure the instructor the student has achieved the neded learning? If not, thewn fair and consistent kind of goes out the window. Regards, Barry

Hi LE: You follow a format that many instructors use , and I think it works successfully. The caveat I would emphasize is that all students know what the grading system is at the beginning of a course and then everyone - including the teacher - abide by it. Regards, Barry

Hi LE: Great reflection. I think many teachers strive to experiment and find what works best for specific assignments, and we're all at the mercy of having access when we need it. It can very unpredictable. Some assignments (and related media) I've found to be extremely useful was discovered accidently when my planned activity was not available. Those assignments are now incorporated into my regular lesson plans. Regards, Barry

Hi Grace: Our weaknesses can actually contribute to achieving a better understanding of how we can become better instructors. One key is being willing to recognize the need for improvement in an specific area, and then be willing and open to making achanges, adapting, or modifying how we apply thos changes. Regards, Barry

Hi Maureen: Sounds like a good balance of resource materials available for back up. Regards, Barry

Hi Le: Engaging students appropriately for specific classes is both challenging to conceive and rewarding to the students who benefit from the instructors efforts. Better teachers are always looking for ways to improve their delivery, preparation, and presentation skills (such as the course you're taking right now)! Regards, Barry

Hi Allana: Passion and enthusiasm are difficult attributes for any student to extinguish! I agree that this can be a great motivating factor. Regards, Barry

Hi Mark: Nice strategies - I call this the change up. In baseball, sometimes a batter is expecting onething and the pitcher throws them a cure (literally!). This works in a lot of situations including the classroom. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: I think getting students involved is the single best way someone can learn something. This is a graet back up plan - and it can be used anytime too. Regards, Barry