Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Dionne, Sure. Our canned curriculum may be wonderful, but if students miss learning the material, then it has all been for naught. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Jeanine, I agree - this is a form of teaching the principle (or an application of it). This is among the best tests for checking for understanding. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Gina, Expectations are a big thing. I tend to believe if students know what the expectations are they will generally try to be compliant. But they can't read ou mind. So laying out evrything expected as thoroughly as possible is paramount to students understanding our expectations. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Stephen, Good points. Some traits are universal: approachable, sincere, kind and caring, patient, willing to listen. While we want our personality to reach most students, most of the time, all of the above mentioned tratits are doable by most everyone, and contribute to reaching students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Connie, Great sentiments. I feel the same about transparency (with confidentiality) sharing student performance and status. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

David, Absoulutely. I say "when we share, we care". Even our informal discussions about performance are important to students. Early on and frequetly do more to assist students make successfully to the end. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Tracy, I say "I don't fail student, they fail themselves". It is important to identify early on students having difficulty, and then work with them to make improvement. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

James, I agree strongly. I choose not to give extra credit. As you state, I will allow extra assignments or projects to create inhanced learning, there is just no extra points given for that. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Gina, Good point. Also, pretesting only provides general trends for students anyway. I never record the grade assessed by the tests. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

David, I think part of the answer is trying to get to know your students. Everyone has a degree of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning traits. So, if we can just relate to students, they will conform to our delivery if they are open to us. Barry Westling