Barry Westling

Hi Jeff: I agree and believe we all can benefit from what I call on-course correction. Since we don't eyes that see how others see us, we need to be dependent and trusting of peers and even student comments to give us insight. If we are humble and really want to improve there is usually something we learn we can improve upon. Regards, Barry

Hi Kelly: Good. We want to use what will be best for the students given the media available and our access to it. It's important we avoid doing what we're most comforatble with without regard for what is in the best interest of the student. Regards, Barry

Hi Kelly: Good thoughts! I think teachers are more confident and more helpful to students when they arte operating from a platform of comfort and knowledge. Weaker areas get strengthened when the teacher has the confidence to do things differently, even by trial and error. That's how they'll learn what works and why. Regards, Barry

Hi Barbara: Good. That game idea sounds like a good one because it it is low tech and doesn't require much preparation. Films, video's DVD's, - these require electricity and machines to run them. Without the resource, you use the media. So low tech is good (regarding back-up plans). Regards, Barry

Hi Alejandro: Since we are usually employed because of our professional skill, expertise, or experience, it should be our job to get the students aligned with the professional standards which, in most cases, should be aligned with the schools mission. It is understandable that sometimes school policiy or practices may create some challenges for instructors - balancing the expectations of their employer vs. doing what is SOP for a given profession. But creative instructors can usually find that balance, if thats the case. Regards, Barry

Hi Douglass: Well, it sounds like you've come up with a creative and fun way to help your students remember needed information that will help them in their classes. I think anytime an instructor can make learning fun and interesting, the students will do better and tetain the intended material better. Regards, Barry

Hi Barbara: Yes, there are a multitude of resouces available and as best as we can we should choosing the delivery methods that best meet our students learning styles to assist them in relating to the material being covered. I think it's also good for students to stretch by being exposed to newer or different learning methods they may not be accustomed to - this is part of the learning process too. Regards, Barry

Hi James: Experienced educators can often times use their creative talents to assess their students different kinds of learning that has occured. One approach is to simply think about "what was the the student supposed to learn?" Then think about "how did I go about achiving that learning". After these two steps, the creation of an assessment should be a little bit easier. Regards, Barry

Hi James: By your comment I assume your institutional policy is organized such that you can only have one final test. If that is the case, you can get creative with your test questions, such as providing scenario's that the students have to analyze and apply multiple kinds of questions derived from the single scenario. It's a version of using words to describe and depict skill or application-oriented information. Regards, Barry

Hi James: Good ideas, especially the team idea of matching a weaker student with a stronger student. I think peer mentoring (matching) is a very powerful and effective way to bring your whole class to a more even playing field. Students usually like relating to one of their own. Regards, Barry