Barry Westling

Craig, Nearly every teacher and institution has developed some sort of system they require for student evaluations. There are many varieties and methods teachers use. As an educator, my main interest is whether or to what degree the evaluation system measures learning. Points and grades are less important than how much the student learns from my classes. Barry Westling

Heinz, Im with you. Making small adjustments here or there is probably OK, when it's done for the entire class and does not represent a significant portion of any component or final grade. Points and grades should be earned and in proportion to learning. EC is more about points, and from my experience has little contribution to meaningful learning. Barry Westling

Heinz, Super! Personalizing our relationships with students is a helpful act. Using it to reengage students in a creative and useful way makes for a more significant learning experience. Barry Westling

Heinz, Right. We are the professional, and to a degree a role model, at least from the standpoint of being prepared for work. We expect that from our students so we should at least be diligent to do our job in the same way. And it is our job - we are paid to be prepared. Barry Westling

Laura, I think a good guest speaker will create a good environment to ask questions, something not all guest speakers can do. But when that happens, yes, student questions can be many, and their questions meaningful. A good guest speaker is one who can present what they have to share, with the students questions in mind, or what they would most want to know in the first place. Barry Westling

Nannette, I agree. I think students are usually willing to try harder when they know their standing in a class. It's als helpful when their instructor is able to give advice, express support, offer encouragement, and demonstrate they care about the students success. This also helps buid trust and mutual respect. Barry Westling

Nannette, I like group work. It is engaging, almost requiring all to participate, and it's a version of instruction that is sort of fun. Of course, most students like it because they get to participate and the assignments usually doesn't seem like real school work. Occasionally, I have to watch for students getting a little too social, so I circulate among the groups to assure students stay on task. Barry Westling

Nannette, I think if all these activities are achieved for all of your students, you are and will have prepared them well. Barry Westling

Nannette, Students do have opinions. As instructors, our job is to make sure and do all we can to teach them the required material. We often have a game plan to do that, but sometimes we have to be willing to modify or adjust our plans in order to meet the needs of the student. This may due to learning styles, lack of understanding, or interest. Yet, it is still our job. We are student cenetered when approach each student's learning in an individualized fashion. Barry Westling

Debby, No one likes surprises, and if we're on track with sharing grades, that will rarely happen. Giving supportive advice also can build a better trust between the student and teacher. Barry Westling