Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Cynthia, I really like variety in our classrooms. It keeps students interested and helps with keeping them engaged. Even with regularly planned activities, breaking the segments into separte parts during the day is one form of variety without adding something different - just different sequencing. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Virginia, For a whole course, I look to the objectives. Then I determine what the most important information a student leaving the class should possess. Next I look at how I can most accuraetly assess that information. Among the common categories of components are quizzes, projects, homework, and exams. There many others, depending on the type of class. Determining the right balance of component weight may take a little trial and error. In the end, we want to make sure we are measuring student learning, not the best way to assign a grade. What good is a grade if the… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Rochelle, Interesting case study of one of your students. I think frequent and early on discussions with students about their performance and status is helpful. Also, there needs to be enough time to make a difference in their understanding and trasfering that into an improved grade. Students have to be accountable, but we can be tenacious in offering our suggestions and advice, along with our support and encouragement. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Nancy, I have found that if students know they arn't supposed to know everything, and that it is a non-graded activity, they will have less anxiety and frustration when doing pretesting. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Rochelle, This is a good idea. Small group discussions are effective in conveying needed information via peer sharing which, as you say, allows weaker students to blend in a bit easier without attention focused on them. This is also a great way for students to learn in general, whether off task or not. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Nancy, As "masters of the course", we should be able to have the flexibility to choose what does work, what we want to try, and the best resources for this class, at this time, for these students. This is likely to be different for another class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Rochelle, Yes, some instructors use a lot and others use far less, but still get the point across. In general, I think more variety makes classes more interesting, but an interesting instructor may mnot need as much. Also the type of class being taught may play a role. Ultimately, we have to realive that media are mere tools, and a means to an end. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Virginia, I agree. I think we experience many things during the course of instructing a class, and a teaching journal can be a great tool for documenting interesting or useful observations about those classes. Somehow, when it written (or documented), it helps recall. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Rochelle, Great. I agree there are many benefits to using a journal, some of which you touched on. The teaching journal can also be a great way to observe improvement over time, and an interesting reflection on the growth an individual makes while teaching similar topics, and their adjustments to their approach to instructing these topics. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Virginia, A confident instructor knows their strengths, and can teach to those. Even weaker areas can be worked on if an instructor is willing to recognize where improvement is needed and work on making those stronger. Students like and need to see their instructor is both competent and confident. Barry Westling