Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Lulu, I think when we are organized, we just give better classes. We have all our needed copies, handouts, materials, and other prepratory resources readied, and the lessons run smoothly and seamlessly. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

Kathryn, Here are a couple thoughts. If there is required information that you feel is outdated, minimize it by having the student read or learn about that on their own, perhaps outside of class. Even if they respond to various degrees, it will have little impact on their grade. Next, carefully choose the most important imformattion and make sure that's where your emphasis is. It's like, "if my students learned only three things today, what would I choose for them?". Then, as time allows, more added topics. Finally, discussions don't have to be static activities. If students are given a… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Kathryn, I have used essay style question(s) in an exam as a way to offer "bonus" points and perhaps measure the students learning a bit more accurately. For these questions, the bonus points represent a very small percentage of the total exam score. As a rule, I do not give extra credit to the degree that it would affect a students grade. I want to measure learning, not be in the point-giving business. However, I do let students do extra work (non-assigned workbook, project, papers, etc.) with the student knowing in advance no extra points will be given. In these… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Jamie, I find nearly all field trips are worthwhile and often open the eyes of some students who may only have a vague idea of what they've been training for. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Krista, Good. We have to be there for our students and they pick up on subtle things like our tardiness, disorganization, or hurried, unprepared ways. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Adrienne, I also think the williningness to alter or modify our plans is sometimes needed, but often resisted by some instructors who are set in their ways and will not budge from their fixed (i.e., set-in-stone) curricular lesson plans. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Amanda, Great! If every teacher shared the passion you convey, our career education system would be producing many more qualified and motivated graduates. Kudo's to you! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Joan, Humor can be a powerful attention getter and method to keep students focused. Too much can be a distraction, and I think we have to be careful that humor is natural and does not offend students. I think if we are sincere, we can avoid much concern about being offensive. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Joan, Glad you recognize the uniquenesses and traits that good instructors can use for the benefit of our students. Willingness to change can be a really hard choice, or easy to adopt as a general approach to instruction. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

David, Wow, very thorough! Your students must surely see the effort you put in to let them know of their progress. They are fortunate. Barry Westling