Barry Westling

Maricar, True, and also our classes will run smoother when we put in the effort to make them ready. Barry Westling

Kimberly, It's been said "we haven't taught if student's haven't learned". That may or may not be so, but unless we measure progress frequently and regularly we have no measure of a students learning. Barry Westling

Kimberly, Students appreciate promptness in getting quiz and test results. As adult learners, they've grown to expect near-immediate feedback, and in many shorter courses, even a couple of days worth of incorrect information can have significant effects. Barry Westling

Kimberly, Great! One thing is students hardly ever will not benefit for more hands on or skills development. Good plan! Barry Westling

Nicole, True. We can also assess the effectiveness of our instruction, and perhaps determine if more review or added instruction is needed. Barry Westling

Kevin, Yes, and also frequent and early on discussions gives the instructor an opportunity to offer hope, advice, support and encouragement, which can add to effective relationships, and perhaps added respect and confidence in the instructor. Barry Westling

carla, For me, it's all about learning. If course objective are not met, then giving extra credit is only about grades, which may have little to do with learning. I teach a medical program where essential material must be mastered. My view is there can be no subtitute for learning the essentails. I'm sure no one would want a medical professional working on their loved one who was an "A" student, but was unsafe or negligent in thier duties. Barry Westling

Nicole, Frustration just seems to be part of the learning process for many students. In the best sense, some frustration is good as it provides some motivation to want to do better. In your example, frustration can overtake reason and consume the emotions. I think allowing students to share their feelings privately with the instructor can add a lot to keeping over the top frustration to a minimum. Barry Westling

carla, Students thrive when clarity is present. Everything we can do to make things clear, from explanations to reviewing course expectations, the more clear we can make things, better understanding will result. Barry Westling

carla, I agree. I think stories are a good way to keep students interested, but they should be related to the course topics. I think they a are good way to introduce a topic, explain a concept, or illustrate a point. Students often associate the story with the fact or point to be made. Plus, it helps keep matters a bit more interesting. Barry Westling