Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Robert: Good planning. Many back-up plans are really just variations of regular lesson plans that have been replaced, updated, or never enough time to use all the time. What you're doing seems very workablable. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi James: Great. Thanks for being complete. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi James: Your willingness to want to be your best and adapt as needed is a good sign and an indication of the way good instructors operate their classrooms. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Methods to develop backup plans

Hi Kerry: Good. Labs can put idle hands to work when the regular lesson plan has fallen apart for whatever reason. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting media for your classes

Hi Joseph: Good use of a variety of media. There's nothing that says an instructor has to use a lot of media per se. Oftentimes some variety adds a bit of instructional "color" to an otherwise bland lesson. Plus, pictures, graphs, or specific illustrations can convey ideas or impart information at least as well as words presented in a discussion or lecture format alone. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Joseph: It is true that we'll end up better instructors the more we know about ourselves. Just as important is being willing to make adjustments in our style or methods once a weaker area is identified. Its hard to change. But that's the only way to progress. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Glen: Your self realization is probably worth the whole effort of this program. Congratulations! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing An Evaluation System

Hi Kerry: All of the items you listed are acceptable components. Some instructors struggle with trying to assure they're being fair when they establish these and other attributes of test development. Sometimes its a hard thing to do. Good instructors will work at it to get it better each time they revise their tests. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Methods to develop backup plans

Hi Kerry: GE students will give that story a lot. I use an example of learning to drive a car. Do we not need maps? How about reading road or directional signs? Do the car's guages mean anything? So, if learning to drive a car is the "vocational" part, then there are expanded, related, or useful things we can learn about that don't directly have to do with the vocation (maps, signs, guages). But those topics certainly positively contribute to the basic vocation, don't they? They help us be better drivers. I'm sure you use similar examples to get them… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Preparing to Manage Your Class

Hi Joseph: Well you've certainly touched on a number of salient points regarding your readiness and involvement in conducting successful classes. I believe each teaching experience is beneficial not just to the students, but to my learning as well. I always try to reflect on how I'm doing, the effect on the students, and how it could be better the next time. Few professions give individuals so many opportunities to continiuously make adjustments to our work as does teaching. Regards, Barry