Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Bernadette, Great! Besides a back up plqan, this is also a good strategy to use in every day classes. It engages students, creates critical thinking opportunities, and sort of stretch's the students capabilities resulting in better retention and application of course content material. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Bernadette, Yeah, we can give facts and theory, but creating an environment that truley prepares students for their work setting elevates our instruction to a higher level. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Stan, Good idea. Mixing both is great and may help demonstrate that a student knows the essentials, or at least enough to get a better grade than if these two components were tested separately. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Stan, Right, students need current, up to date information about their standing class so that if corrections are needed there will time to see improvement and have it reflected in the final grade. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Carl, This system appears to be something workable for you in your institution. Good motivator for high achievers. Many institutions (mine included) does not allow for EC in the grading process. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Eric, Evaluation of learning is best when a variety of components contributes to the grades. We want a system that is accurate and fair, usable and applicable to all students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Stan, Right, preparing to be better prepared is one way to say it. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Stan, Good back up plans are needed especially when technology fails or is unavailable. I think better plans are simple, easy to implement, low tech, applicable to the content, and enjoyable. Students don't want to feel like they're just doing "busy work". Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Stan, Hands on helps so much. Actually, many academic classes have no real tangible hands on activities, so you're fortunate there is a skill component that can complement the theory content pertinent to your course. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Erica, SLO's are the determinant that our instruction gas been effective. Essentially they are questions that ask "if these are met, we will have achieved the level of instruction desired". Barry Westling