Barry Westling

Kisha, This is good. If students know you're going to call on them (random is best), they'll be more likely to be attentive and focused to avoid being embarrassased by their classmates if thy're asked a question and are caught off gaurd. Barry Westling

Kisha, Variety adds so much, it can create a wonderful learning experience, or transforn an ordinary lesson into a lively burst of information and knowledge through creative selection of exciting media selections. Barry Westling

Courtney, Yes, we can create a vision for our students to leap to. This requires motivation on the part of both student and instructor. The notion of a better future and a satisfying life can be a strong motivator, especially to students who've not experienced too many wonderful successes in their lives. Barry Westling

Courtney, Yeah, we have to stretch sometimes to meet all the needs of students. But that stretching can sometimes turn a former weaker area into a new stronger area, and as a resuilt make us better instructors. Ah..., the benefits of stretching! Barry Westling

Marco, Senses in instructional lessons and personal study enhance the the retention of key and essential information. Each added sensory stimulation contributes more to student learning. Rewriting notes on note cards that are then read into a recorder, then played back allows the student to hear their voice, touch the note cards, see the information, and review the recorded information. Extra steps but a great way to cement information in the brain. Barry Westling

Suzanne, I think most students have aspects of all three lerning styles, perhaps with one, or even two more dominant. I also think most people use visual learners in their own way to assist them with thinking and memory tasks, including those used in masterering new knowledge. That said, the more senses we can incorporate in our lessons, the better student retention of information will be. Barry Westling

Marco, I like guest speakers too. Of course, the instructor is ultimately accountable and responsible for the student's learning, but that's not to say a different perspective, an alternative point of view, a different spin - all these can make classes more interesting. Barry Westling

Suzanne, I like guest speakers too. Even recent graduates can bring a spark of just a different spin on things. Also, guests break up the routine and offer another perspective that might not otherwise be presented. Barry Westling

Ob, True, yet we also may want to assess our effectiveness. We can learn of student progress and express encouragement and support. And the student learn how close to they are to meeting the course objectives. Barry Westling

Gail, Yes, that caring and conscientiousness cannot be diminished as to importance. Students may not like a class, or the assignments, or even their grade, but if an instructore has made a good connection with each student, they will tend to separate the instructor from the course. The opposite effect may be students convey their dislike for an instructor if they do poorly in the class. Genuine caring goes a long ways to imparting interest in the students success. Barry Westling