Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Tim, Yep! Can't get there without a destination in mind, and regular feedback to let the student know how close they are coming. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Brenda, Right. Some use EC as an escape from doing required assignments. Others use it to boost their failing grades. Of course, some are just slackers. But EC is inherently contrary to accurately measuring student learning, so I'm in the camp that does not support it's practice. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Tim, Too, as a planning tool for the instructor, these allow the instructor to modify their course to better fit these students, at this time, in this class, which may be different from all past class offerings. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Tim, You're right, critical thinking is a wonderful skill to pass on to students. This will help them in and outside of work, potentially for the rest of their lives. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Tim, Great. I really like these activities, and I've never had a bad experience with students disliking them either. They are usually quite inspirational and sometimes students get really jazzed over the experience. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Cynthia, Good teachers do good things for their students, such as being weel preparted and organized in readiness for classes. An afterall, it's our job, we're paid to be prepared! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Jason, The cool thing for me is how I can customize my curriculum to feel that I am really helping students, especially when they expierence difficulties along the way. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Diane, We can assess students (formal or informally) in many ways. Even as we are in the process of delivering a lesson, we can check for understanding frequently along the way, during the lesson. Daily quizes helps reinforce earlier material with grading representing only small, incremental componets of their grade. Written essays do take a bit longer to grade but allow students to express their understanding in their own way and may allow confirmation the student has mastered the material. Besides multiple choice, there can be matching, true/false, fill in the blank, labeling, to name a few. Besides tests, a… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Richard, All these stated reasons give support for frequent and/or regular discussion with students about their progress. Students crave feedback (good or bad), and look to their instructor for support and encouragement, along with suggestions and advice. That's an important part of our non-instructional duties, and a great way to build trust among our students as well. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Willis, Cute example. But the point is made, and whatever we use, to have an activity or plan that's effective, topical, easy to implemment on short notice, low tech, and interesting makes for effective use of the students time. Barry Westling