Barry Westling

Derrick, Right! And the more we know, the better we are able to add, amplify, or modify our instruction to meet the student needs. Barry Westling

Derrick, Good goal. I would add, effectively applied skills along with critical thinking abilities. If we can convey these, we'll have helped the student both at work and in their personal life as well. Barry Westling

Renee, Benefits are as great for the instructor as they are for the students. Smooth classes, competent instruction, resources readied - these all suggest a serious, professional instructor at work. Barry Westling

Derrick, Readiness, preparedness, and organization demonstrate the foundation of a solid instructional foundation. Student outcomes will be improved in this environment. Barry Westling

Jennifer, A weekly progress report is terrific. That should give plenty of time to make needed corrections and to affect the grade in a positive way. Barry Westling

Diane, I agree. I choose not to give EC, but understand different classes, instructors, and institutions may have differing opinions. Basically, EC is about points and grades, and less to do with real, practical learning. Busy work is usually not helpful to the learning process for adults. Barry Westling

Diane, Applied to classroom and lab learning, using mutiple senses improves retention o9f essential information. For instance, incorporating visuals along with video and dry earse board will compliment a discussion format. Students taking notes, rewriting notes, reading aloud their notes, having another read their notes aloud, sumarrizing their notes - each step promotes rehearsing key information and another opportunity to think about key information. Barry Westling

John, In one sense use the resources that work is most appropriate, although that statement not very specific. But the ,meaning behind it is there is a lot for instructors to choose these days and we have to be sure that we are choosing the best, among the just satisfactory. And it depends, as you point out, at which point (early on or later on) in the course students are attending. Barry Westling

Diane, I agree it's good for students to see their PD in an active, instructional role. Breaking up the routine with a knowledgeable individual can provide a lift, and an energized atmosphere if the instructor is upbeat, positive and enthusiastic in their delivery. Barry Westling

Mary, Consistency among a variety of classes is good in that it reinforces expectations required for successful program completiuon, rather than merely a class at a time. My program tries to achieve this as well, and we have core classes, sciences classes, and general education classes, overlapping different departments and disciplines. It has taken time and stability of faculty to achieve, but in my opinion, it's worth the effort. Barry Westling