Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Francine, No names - not a bad idea. What we want is information for planning purposes, not individual student performance. The down side is sometimes sharing a students pre-test with their post-course perfornace can be encouraging. Doing the pretest as non-graded also helps students participate. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Teresa, Good idea. Sounds like a productive task, realted to the course, and designed to get them refocused. Terrific! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Shawn, Back-up plans help us in many ways. Calling an activity a "back-up" plan on one day, we may call it the main activity on another. It is just there to serve us when and how we need it to. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Kevin, Very creative, and it sounds like you've made the class fun and interesting. Everyone will benefit in this breeding ground. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Teresa, True. If we can inspire, we can motivate, and perhaps create the beginnings of greatness. Why should we expect less? Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Carolyn, So much is out there, it's really a matter of choosing what's best for the moment. Next go around, it may be different, because the students will be different and maybe the profession has changed somewhat. Have to stay current and interesting. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Shawn, No reason why learning can't be fun. Too much humor can be a turn off. For me, half my students tolerate my humor, but don't get it. So I've found I need to tone it down and substitute it with interesting or unusual stories that capture attention and focus. From there, I can deliver my lessons. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Ralph, Yep! And the soft skills ought to be called the "essetial skills", as these are just as important as any technical or career training. We can train to get a job, but the soft skills contribute to keeping that job. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Francine, I really believe every day's stuednts encounter are meaningful. Jotting just a note or two, or other thoughts make for interesting reading later on, and never repetitious. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Teresa, True, we are in charge of our class and our responsibility is to convey needed information in an effecient, timely, and interesting delivery style. Barry Westling