Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Joel , Real world touches an inner vsense of "this is something for me". When students feel this, they are more likely to be interested, stay interested, and improve their focus on lessons and assignments based on that spark they received from the touch of real world. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Jonathan, Great! Many students have only vague ideas about the career they've chosen. A good field trip can open their eyes, and some even inspired to learn all they can. What a great resource! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Deborah, I like to use "daily routine" rather than "daily monotony", but you're right, often someone with a different perspective, or a different setting for learning can add a lively, upbeat spin to the regular lesson material. I've seen student literally turn 180 degrees in interest in the class, based on the experience gained from an infromative field trip! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Dan, Great system. Rubrics work because student and instructor alike know what the expectations are. Also, each is bound by the guidelines defined by the rubric. Fairness and accuracy are the obvious results. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Nashon, I think the personal contact we give students can convey performance, but also do many other things like allow us to listen to their needs, share steps for success, and boost their hopes for completing the class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Nashon, A pretest can zero in where to focus for most important emphasis. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Dan, An important bookmark for instructors who need to realize every class is different and therefore, assessing where a new class performance is at is truly essential. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Alana, Great! The whole benefit to teaching journals is to assist the instructors become better at what they do. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Dan, We get few chances to make a good first impression, and it's even harder to break a lasting impression once students make up their minds about reversible behavior. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

David, Right! Student are savvy consumers who want and expect a quality product for what they're paying for. And because its our job, we are not fulfilling our obligation to our employer if we come to class unprepared. Barry Westling