Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Melissa, You've identified the main reasons for pretesting, and these result in better student outcomes by avoiding using valuable time on material that doesn't quite hit the mark. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Roy, I think even if the school has a prescribed curriculum with specific media, we can still be creative. Asking questions, conducting discussions, having students reflect about their learning, these are among many ways we can supplement the required class material with helpful learning activities, and they don't take away anything from what the school wants taught. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Clare, Discussion is among the better strategies because it gets students thinking. The more they are able to do this without promting, the better they will be prepared for their career and even much of what they will encounter in life. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Roy, Yes, and to add to that, if we can get students to think critically, to ask questions, and to learn where to get information, they will be lifelong learners which will help them in both their work and personal home life. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Melissa, Hopefully, that will be the result. Knowing how to ask questions and where to gety information is essential. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Clare, You are already in the flow. Through analysis we can determine even the variables that contribute to class and student dynamics by using a teaching journal. It's a form of the scientific method. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Mary, I believe cousrse that are taught repeatedly, over time, many of the needed curricular resources will already be in place. Keeping these in an orderly, organized fashion should help the instructor simply "pull mneeded material off the shelf" when ready to teach that module. It does take planning and time to make this system work. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Roy, This forum doesn't allow me to dictate policy. That said, I think much instructor grief can be minimized by defining the parameters beforehand. Then, all students and instructor are bound by the same standards. One guideline might be; "students who don't pull their weight will receive a x.x% grade deduction as detremined by the instructor". Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Melissa, This is a great sentiment and principle to guide our professional lives. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Emily, What you point out is, besides the obvious benefit to the students, there is also benefit to the instructor in terms of making adjustments based on student performance. That's cool. Barry Westling