Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Kisha, Students get distracted by many things: bored, not prepared, disinterested, illness, don't understand, other things on their minds. If we can identify what it is that distracts, we can determine the best way to get students reengaged. Sometimes it doesn't take much. Other times, a whole change of pace is needed. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Kisha, Sure, being there, doing demonstrations and practical applications most usually produces stimulation of mutiple senses, and of course, this contributes to better retention. Anything kinesthetic will be remembered because of mutiple senses are involved. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Billie, The manner that a teacher tracks notes and personal thoughts is not the focus, but rather the action of doing it. Seasoned teachers who've journalized for years nearly always confirm the benefits this teacher support method provides. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Kisha, I have so many ideas that come and go, if I don't record them somewhere, they're gone fover. Journalizing helps me track and document ideas, observations, needs, follow-up, "what if's", and so forth. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Billie, Yes, also students are apt to show respect, get their assignments done, and take their class seriously. The curriculum can be terrific, but if in the minds of students they perceive disorganization or lack of prepardeness, they can become apathetic, the course material confusing, and/or students demonstrate less than being interested in the class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Daniel, Reliance on EC is just one of the reasons I choose not to give it. Besides, it inflates grades, is difficult to grade fairly, is subjective, and in the end focuses on points and grades rather than the purpose of any assignment - student learning. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Daniel, Great! this is one I use, whether it is a planned activity or one I have to do on short notice, due my planned activity cannot occur for whatever reason. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Karl, I think it's true, most of us respond to visual and auditory sensory stimulation. That said, as for student learning, lecturing alone is the least effective way for students to learn, although it it is the most convenient. On the other end, the most effective way students learn is by teaching others. Using a variety of media is effective to different degrees to different students. There was a time where I used a lot of video tapes, where now, that has diminished to a fraction of what it used to be. That's because I've learned that watching video is… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Loretta, I'm with you. I don't know if it makes them lazy or not, but I know it usually doesn't lend itself to meaningful learning. EC, to me, is about points and grades, not about learning. As teachers, student learning outcomes should be our primary focus. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Loretta, There are different kinds of pretests, too. Before a test, as a review is terrific. Other ways to pretest may involve at the beginning of a course to see where the students are in their prior learning, at the end of a course to encourage and to show how much progress has (or hasn't) occurred, at the beginning of a particulary difficult topic to see where special emphasis is needed, and to assess a teachers learning effectiveness. Pretesting is a great tool! Barry Westling