Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Wesley, Right. I have have looked past on notations from years ago and observed how my thinking has matured, improvements made, and reflected on how much growth has occurred. Only review over time can produce this. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Wesley, I agree students appreciate knowing their instructors have put time and effort into class preparation, and goes to show professionalism and good role modeling practices. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Elizabeth, Nice! PPT's with added embedded features such as short videos, charts, tables, photo's or graphs are a great enhancement to a lesson. Keeping the basic PPT slides simple also removes potential interference with the students train of thought. I get distracted with too much "flying titles, zig-zagging, text, and unusual sounds. For me wwith PPT slides, less is more. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Aimi, Right! The teaching journal can serve as a great repository of stored information, some useful for the next class, some useful to reflect on in months (or yesrs) ahead, to see growth and improvement. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Elizabeth, I agree. Students usually really like the change of pace, but more importantly, they can garner great information and inspiration from well planned excursions off campus. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Brendon, Nice summary. The curriculum and environment at career colleges (once thought of as trade schools) are more comprehensive than ever before with higher expectations for graduates by employers. Critical thinking perhaps is the most helpful adjunctive skill we can provide, as this helps both in school, at work, and in the students personal life. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Amanda, I the best PPT's have just a good color-contrasted background with bulleted points to facilitate discussion. Sometimes, illustrations, photo's, diagrams, charts, tables or graphs can be inserted (just because they can be illustrated better than drawing them). Too much reading actually distracts more than instructs. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

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Being a student-centered instructor

Brendon, Great sentiment. I agree. "Convey care, capture competence". Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Chris, Great! Students want to know how they're doing, even if the news is less than wonderful. But we can make the most of every discussion by being enthusiastic, upbeat, and by offering our support and encouragement. That, along with grade information should allow most students every opportunity to be successful. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Amanda, This is wonderful when students do actually get to see first hand activities they will soon be involved with. I find each experience can be quite motivational and inspiring, sometimes, even to the degree some students really buckle down and take their studies a whole level or two higher. Barry Westling