Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Donte, Good. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy interesting classes and engaging presentations. If we are sincere, prepared, and knowledgeable, most any personality quirk will be overlooked if students feel they are receiving something they will benefit by. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Margaret, One way to say this is "prepare to get a job, and then to keep it". Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Randy, One way to view journalizing is to view ones own class as an observer might view it. What worked, what didn't. Ideas that could improve the flow of the class or add more interest, make it more efficient, handle situations differently. I've found my notes reveal my growth and maturity as an educator when I look at years-past notes and reflect on my ideas and comments at the time. This is is extremely valuable. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Randy, Most career colleges focus on job jeadiness. Yet it's said "a good education prepares one for life". Broadening knowledge about the world around a student, teaching critical thining, learning where to find information, and developing into a professional worker with traits such as common coutesy, dress and demeanor are among many attributes a good education should provide. Developing a sense for life-long learning would be wonderful, and the above mentioned traits contribute to that goal. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Donte, Good. I think a teacher can work on weaker areas as sort of a "work in progress" during class sessions. Depending on the weakness, practice in improving in small doses creates the trial and error opportunity in class. Sometimes what is perceived as "a weakness" is magnified in the teachers mind, and by simple intoduction a little at a time, the teacher will find that improvement is possible. Thus, a weakness becomes a strength, and growth will have occured. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Margaret, Students can be harsh, yes. Deserved complaints would naturally result from teachers who display rudeness, are underprepared, disorganized, unavailable, or (for whatever reason), unapproachable. Even teachers with great knowledge and capabilities will be shunned by students if the teacher appears unprepared. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Randy, Yes. As you imply, this goes beyond day one, but organized and prepared classes should be the expectation from start to finish. We don't allow the students to let up on their learning activities, so we can't let them down on our readiness to facilitate their learning. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Theresa, Right, personalized, individualized, even if it means deviating from the curriculum a bit, or spending more time on certain subjects, or more time with remediation befor or after class, or during office hours. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Lisa, In settings where the teachers don't care about their students success because "they get paid whether the student learns or not, or is even there or not" there is little incentive other than personal integrity and responsibility to want to help students learn. Most teachers in career schools would not last long with this mentality. The student (as a paying customer) is our chief concern, and their successfulness ofen tied to our continued employment. So although that should not be the motivation, it is a factor. As teachers, we should have a passion for what we teach, deliver it… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Jody, One of the best ways we can develop positive reslationships is through early on, frequent, and regular sharing of grade status. This time is valuable in that we can also offer support and encouargement, and convey we care about the student successfulness. Barry Westling