Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Paula, It'd be interesting to see ourselves as students do. I know there tests that attempt to do this in a limited fashion. But to really see how they see us would probaly create the desire to modify some behaviors that we'd think are OK. Being an authentic version of ourselves is still the best approach to relating to students, as they will ultimately see throgh any phony facade we may try to subject them to. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Sabina, Everyone and every institution has to come up with what works for them. I find EC is mostly about grades and points, i.e., "extra", and usually has little to do with new or applicable learning. I think research assignment are a terrific method to acquire learning. It's the awarding points for it I would choose not to award. I feel if it's important enough to give any kind of grade it's worthwhile putting that assignment into the required, not option category for grading. But that's just me, my bias, and not necessarily representative of this course. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Kelli, Great technique. There are a lot of variations of this strategy, but in all of them it invloves the students being involved and engaged in their own learning, and most often makes for a more enjoyable and interesting class experience. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Kelli, I do a learning style assessment prior to my first class also (during orientation). When completed, we share commonalities and then get into groups with similar learning styles. Often, these student sort of bond and become friends for the duration of two years in school - which can be a good thing, but not always (similar learning styles do not equate to similar personality types). The biggest disadvantage is, although I possess this knowledge, it's difficult to pass on to other teachers for them to use in the same way I do. Nut ultimately, each teacher has to decide… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Sabina, These days there so many effective media choices, it's really deciding which ones are most appropriate to use - not because there is a lack of them. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Allen, Knowing how I am and how I am perceived (good and bad, right or wrong) helps me be effective in the classroom. I think facing what may be areas I'm aware may need improvement helps me work on them, and the classroom is almost like a lab for improvement of weaker areas. Of course, stronger traits only come naturally. But even so, the life of a teacher is ever evolving, so I guess we're always like a work in progress, even with strengths and comfort zones. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Phuong, If we discuss status regularly and early on, we can impact and maybe prevent disastrous results. It also allows us to offer encouragement and demonstrate that we care about the students successfulness. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Kori, Your creativeness is commendable. For me, if the three bonus questions are important, I would just make them part of the graded quiz (or ask the questions without grading to challenge the students knlowledge). Students will come to expect "extra" in everything, and in the workplace, there is no extra credit. Very small adjustments at the end of a course seem reasonable, like a bonus question on a final exam, or dropping the lowest quiz score (in a class where are a lot of quizes). This shows some consideration for having a bad day, or recognition of knowledge above… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Phuong, Pretests are among the various ways to assess performance. Here, it's before instruction begins to determine where adjustments may be needed based on prior learning. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Kori, I think you're right (hopefully, material isn't boring in the first place), and an enthusiastic, upbeat, lively teacher is likely to capture student attention and focus more than a dull, monotone atmosphere. When students are interested, they'll pay attention. When they're involved, they'll retain information. With activities that allow practice, they'll remember, and the class will be more meaningul. Barry Westling