Barry Westling

Susan , Instructors that have adopted journalizing as a regular habit and routine find that it helps them a couple of ways. The thing is the teaching journal can be whatever format and content the instuctor chooses to include. But over time, reflecting personal comments, observations, needs, wants, hopes, etc. can be invaluable as an introspective assessment of growth and improvement as an instructor. Of course, this can only occur by journalizing, and observing notations made over months and years. Barry Westling

Bernadette, It's probably true that the student (or someone on their behalf) is assiting with tuition and related schools expenses. Responsible students will want to know immediately how they're doing in order to make mid-stream corrections, and in enough time to have an impact on their final grade. Barry Westling

John, Right. If t5here is somethging we can do, such as sharing grade information, offering advice or suggestions, or other assistance, I think that's part of our job to convey methods and ideas that help students meet their classroom completion goals. Barry Westling

John, Review is good. It does help keep attention and for those who for wahtever reason are unclear about lesson material, all will benefit by clarification or reinforcement of needed information. Barry Westling

John, Senses in the instructional process do add much. I like to use smell as an example. How many times have we detected a scent and it immediately brought back a memory. Wow, that's powerful! If we can use senses in the same way, students may be able to retain information much better. Barry Westling

John, Preparation take time, effort and planning. Doing so makes for better classes. The absence of such is a disaster waiting to happen, and students will also notice level of disorganization as much as any other. Barry Westling

John, Yes, we are role models, like it or not. And students should model our (good) performance and traits, as they portray professional attributes that can be helpful in the work setting. Barry Westling

Eddie, Settings vary, but regardless, the more feedback a student receives, the more apt they are to at least acknowledge the areas that may need improvement. And I think anytime an instructor can find time to spend with students to offer advice, suggestions, and assistance, we can also offer support and encoragement. Barry Westling

Eddie, I can only speak for my classes and institution. Admission does two different tests as prerequisites for candidacy for my program. But once they are in, there are general education, science, core lecture, lab, and clinical course work that needs completion. Pretesting for me means assessing new students I receive to see at what level their prior learning is at so I can make adjustments or modify my curricular plan. Barry Westling

Eddie, Yes, a different voice, a different perspective, a different spin, all these can add variety and a bit more interest in the class. IOt's important that what the speaker has to say is aligned with what the instructor would want their students to hear, even it's a bit different. Barry Westling