Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Holly, I like pretesting, even though I don't do it all the time. The results help me plan, customize, or give more (or less) emphasis when I'm unsure what level of prior knowledge my students have. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Michelle, Skill performance is the "cognitive applied". Practical application along with critical thinking makes for real world successfulness in most careers. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Holly, Great. The more senses involved in the instructional process, the better will be the retention of key information. We tend to rely on visual senses, and thats OK, as a "mental vision" is something worthwhile. But addig amplifies the memory and recall, and helps solidify material into longterm memory. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Holly, Good! Instructors use journals for a whole lot of reasons, all of them personal, and largely beneficial I suspect. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

ROBBYN, For me, I want them job ready with the knowledge, skills, and attitude that leads to initial and sustained employment. The professional development aspect is so important, I try to incorporate and reinforce the value employers put on these kind of soft skills that make for better employees. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

ROBBYN, Good preparation does infer a degree of professionalism and therefore, improved credibility. Not just for students, the classes of a well organized and prepared instructor lead to smoother running sessions and better instructional environment. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Jon, I agree that a good discussion of grades can contribute to increased motivation, especially when presented in an optimistic manner that is accompanied by encouragement, support, advice, and realistic suggestions for improvement. When students feel their instructor cares, I believe that adds to the desire to want to do better. And what's cool is this is something pretty easy to do by every teacher, and doesn't really take that much extra time. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Adam, A bonus question offered to all students is probabbly a good way to assess knowledge beyond what is required. For me, if material is required learning, I want assess to what degree the students have learned, so I personnaly do not give extra credit. However, an essay type question on a more difficult topic when the test is mutiple choice (either electronic or scan-tron) has offered a way to earn 2-5 "bonus points". Out of of 125-150 points, that doesn't help a lot. but does reward those who attempt it, and in the big final grade, does not distort… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Adam, Pretesting works! It can used in different ways to achieve different results. But in all cases, the effectiveness in assisting the instructor gain greater insight to their students prior knowledge helps the students in learning their required course material. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Adam, Right. This speaks to the power of visual learners (which all students are to some degree). Ultimately, all information is probably transformed to a mind visual. Finding media that reinforces the memory of, and application for needed couyrse material would be the goal. Barry Westling