Barry Westling

Deward, Field trips are great in that they provide an experience pretty much unlike anything we could provide to the stuednts in our classrooms, labs, or by other onh-campus media resources. They motivate, inspire, and inform, and sometimes can change the whole attidute a student may have towards their educational pursuits anhd ultimate career. Barry Westling

Corliss, Great! I always look to be sure I'm just not doing something that has worked before, but is exciting, interesting, creative, and engaging for students. To keep them focused, there has to be a lot of variety and frequent enough change ups that students minds stay on task and in tune with my learning objectives. Barry Westling

Brian, Yeah, there is so much out there these days we really have to be selective in our choices for what we're going to use for delievery or involvement with students. It's like there's the accetabale, the good, and the great (or perfect) learning resources and media that make classes interesting and engage students. We don't want students to feel we're wasting their time with "filler" information. Barry Westling

Jaime, Right. Many students have only partial or vague ideas of what their profession offers. I have seen literal transformation in marginal students almost miraculously getting motivated, turned on, and completing the program superbly - all based on the inspiriration they received from particualrly interesting field trips. Barry Westling

Brian, One way to achieve nearly the next best thing to a senior person from your profession is to ask one or more recent graduates who are working to come and speak. What they lack in experience they more than make up for in enthusiasm, familiarity with your program and it's classes, and experiences they may had that are interesting and attractive to current students. Often, student are more willing to ask pointed questions to "one of their peer group" than they might of "an outsider". Barry Westling

Corliss, Right! Giving personalized instruction by being willing to modify the days planned activities makes the student feel the teacher cares and also benefits the student by assuring the covered material will be learned and reaetained. Barry Westling

Matthew, I often write "frequent and regular", refering to communicating course status, grades, etc. with students. This is viewed by some as time consuming, and by others as unnecessary (students should be held accountable). While I understand these sentiments, like a journey, students need feedback to know how and when they will arrive at their destination. Also, personalized discussion helps build trust and respect. Barry Westling

Craig, These change ups are great examples and to me, are perfect for breaking the heaviness without really having to do too much apart from you had planned. Barry Westling

James, I think interactive PPT's are a great learning tool. With PPT, you can integrate live asction and discussion with lecture and similar delivery methods. Clicking on embeded links (even You-Tube) can add to the presentation by amplyifying key popints that reinforce the emphasis you're wanting. Barry Westling

Douglas, Right. The needed preparation for any class has a direct affect and impact on the students. If we are not doing our job, we will be doing a disservice to the students. Yet, when we are prepared and organized, classes are better, students benefit, and outcomes are more likely to be met. Barry Westling