Barry Westling

Hi Earl: Good planning! By thinking in advance what you might need, you are on you way to praparing the foundation to good back up plans. Regards, Barry

Hi Earl: I agree with your comments. I am sure when you say "the grading is spelled out completely for the student", you mean before the class or on the first day. I have found that individuals tend to be upset when changes are made - even when necessary. So, I always put in a disclaimer about "changes in the course may occur". Then, plenty of advance notice, if possible. Regards, Barry

Hi Earl: PPT does provide quite a unique medium for instructors to use. Microsoft has done a great job of providing a product that truly contributes positively to the learner. I've found PPT can be less than effective when there are formatting errors, excessive reliance on it, or substitution for more effective learning methods are chosen. Regards, Barry

Hi Earl: Great! I think all instructors could benefit from aligning themselves with the tenets you've described here. We'd all be better teachers. Regards, Barry

Hi Douglass: Great self awareness recognition. Sentiments and observations like these make us better instructors. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Barry

Hi Ron: Getting to know your students will help you relate to students beyond the student-teacher relationship. It'll help show the human side of your personality. I think students like to relate to positive people who are real and unpretentious. Regards, Barry

Hi Douglass: Good points. It's almost like opposites. Our strengths can help us identify where are weaker areas still persit. Our weaker areas give us insight and vision on where to improve. Our attitude towards willingness to adapt and openness to change makes us better teachers and individuals. Students pick up on these attributes more than may be obvious. Regards, Barry

Hi Douglass: Awesome. Students like variety in their learning. Methods to incorporate into your particular profession will liven up things up a lot! Regards, Barry

Hi Ward: Good planning for Plan-B. Sometimes what you'd want to do for Plan-B is not accessible, so do you need a Plan'C? That's where a back up plan becomes invaluable. Some activity that requires little to no preparation, can be immediately implemmented, is related to the basic lesson or profession, and is fairy low tech (in the event of a power failure or loss/absence of electronic resources). Regards, Barry

Hi Ron: Great self analysis and comments. It is important to understand ourselves, the more the better. I think this is a life long learning lesson too, that is, we are always in a position to learn something new, adapt and become better teachers and individuals. Regards, Barry