Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Eddy, I use pretests to help me plan what and where I want the emphsis to be in my class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Eddy, For me meeting student learning outcomes means I have met the goal of the course and students have mastered the material. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Eddy, With so much media choices out there these days, it's important to be very selective so that we are choosing the best among just OK media. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Eddy, We all can be approacable, patient, and care about our students learning. These traits along with our unique personalities out to make any class a successful one. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Eddy, For me, I think if we can impart the knowledge, skills, and attitude appropriate for their work, thats a great start. If we can also teach critical thinking, we will have helped them both in work and in their personal lives. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Salah, You identified the main benefit to using pretests; assisting the instructor plan their lessons where students will learn the most in the least amount of time. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Tim, I agree that students get distrated for many reasons. We can try to appreciate why but ultimately we need the attention and focus for us to do our job well. Small things like circulating around the room, asking pointed questions at specfic students, or pair-share discussion are quick and easy measures to take. Breaking up the lesson into smaller segments with a variety of media or delivery methods helps keep interest too. More aggressive measures may mean whole change-ups in the current plan, such as swithing from a lecture to a discussion, or a lab activity. Getting the student… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Eddy, This sounds like a great tool for you. I have found that reflection over past months and years reveals where I've grown as a teacher, and my improvement over time from the past to present. Only by tracking observations, notations, thoughts, concerns, and personal comments in some sort of journal can change and improvement be noted. Some instructors may have great memories, I don't, but the journal reminds me of good and awful from the past. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Eddy, Our confidence and competence as an instructor is founded in our strengths we bring to the classroom. We are all unique, with strengths and weaker areas that could be improved on. We can rely on our stronger areas for instructing as that is where we are comfortable. We ought to be willing to work on or weaker areas for improvement. Over time the weaker areas can become a part of our stronger skill set. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Eddy, Of course, the main thing is were are paid to be preared. But more impotantly, good preparation makes for better classes, smoother delivery of lessons, andseamless transitions from one topic to another. It's the difference between a polished presentation and sloppy teaching. The prospect of better trust and respect occurs from good preparation. Barry Westling