Barry Westling

Katherine, Field trips are cool. They stimulate, engage, invite questions, and project an aspect of the profession usually unable to be simulated in the classroom or lab. Barry Westling

Vicki, Nice sentiments. It's true, students do appreciate when they feel their instructor is in it for them. It's a form of customer service, like " what, I''m actually getting some individul attention?" Most instructors have to balance getting in all they feel they need to, and assisting their students master the information they're supposed to. Being willing to adjust or modify is a step towards helping students succeed. Barry Westling

Amanda, This is a very brave action to take, and I think students probably appreciate that you're willing to take comments from them, and even more importantly, implemment or modify your delivery to accomodate their request. Barry Westling

Lima, When we have a good understanding of where we shine (and where work is needed), we can be most effective relying on what we know will work best. But we also need to not avoid weaker areas that need improvement, and I think a personal goal should be to work to make the weaker area among the stronger areas. With this attituide, we can expected continued, ongoing progress and improvement. Barry Westling

Jennifer, Having the freedom to choose and select the media and related resources you want is a great asset and benefit. Even though it really wans't that long ago, I actually began teaching in the late 70's, and used a chalkboard, flip chart, and mimeograpgh for copies. Oh, and 16mm films. Sounds strange now, but I developed a vocabulary in order to create mind images since much (in comparison to today) was lacking. Discussion and verbal description played a big part in the role I had. Barry Westling

Brendon, I really believe the more personal contact we have with students, the more trust and respect they will have for our role and assistance in meeting their needs. Even if grades need improving, if we are sincere and truely helpful, most students will be receptive to any advice and/or suggestions for improvement we may give. Barry Westling

Daniel, I can only say each instructor and institution has to decide what works best for their students. I personnaly don't give EC per se, although I have given a bonus question on an exam or dropped the lowest quiz score as an "adjustment incentive". Barry Westling

Daniel, Yeah, hopefully students won't get frustrated. Pretesting is a great tool for instructors to riughtsize their class (as much as possible). This idea is aligned with being a student-centered instructor, where we customize or modify curriculum to meet the individual student needs. Barry Westling

Brendon, Questioning is nearly always a quick and effective method to at least get students attention. I don't let students get away with "I don't know". My students soon learn that is the wrong response unless they want to come up to the board and outline what's been said in the last 5-minutes. They may not know an answer but they are responsible to listen. Over time, listening (and thinking) become required traits students must possess. Barry Westling

Daniel, Yes, and assisting with soft skills is among those that are necessary. It's odd that many students either don't recognize the importance (or don't care), and soon learn that an employer puts just as much weight on attendance, dress and grooming, language, etc., as they do technical expertise. Barry Westling