Barry Westling

Hi Timothy, Great. You're demonstarting a variety of media delievery strategies that make the class more interesting and probably more interactive. This sounds like a class where I would like be a student. Barry Westling

Hi Timothy, I agree, and like you suggest, I defer to notes immediately things are fresh in my mind. I might even stop in the middle of class to jot something down (rare, but I've done it, else I'll forget!). Barry Westling

Hi Amanda, Right! Pivotal is a good way to describe how important and essential eraly intervention can be. It can literally determine whether a potentially good student succeeds in the class or not. Barry Westling

Hi Amanda, Yes, and sometimes, just an overview is needed. However, I've had classes where there was such diversity among knowledge level, I had to pretest several times to find the high, average and low achievers so that I could work in groups in order to get the needed material across. Barry Westling

Hi Brenda, Great! If we could assure students could be already up to speed the moment they got their job in thier new career, we'd have achieved something. Since that's not reality, the best we can do is prepare them with the practical, theory, and professional aspects, and hope that the critical thinking skills will carry them through to uncharted areas in the workplace. After all, that's how we (as teachers) all got it, right? Barry Westling

Hi Marvin, When students need correction due to poor performance, it is imperative that frequent and early on discussion with the student occur. Your point is correct that there needs to be enough time for correction to occur. I always provide review sessions for the general class and special time for remediation on a 1-on-1 basis if needed or requested by the student. I'll do all I can to help the student, but they have to demonstrate intiative and be responsible for their learning as well. Barry Westling

Hi Clive, My experience has been less than wonderful with EC. I have received accusations of "unfair", or "grade inflation". The inequity between strong students who do not need the points and students who have done poorly wanting extra points diminishes the integrity of the course grading system. Our classes should be about learning. Extra credit has mostly to do with grades and points (irrespective of any learning that may occur). Barry Westling

Hi Leila, Field trips and guest speakers can be very powerful and meaningful experiences for students. Often what a student hears or sees at vthese can be memorabvle for a lifetime. Barry Westling

Hi Clive, Organization and preparation go hand in hand. A weel prepared teacher who is disorganized cam make the same impression as one who is not prepared. An probably more common, some teacher appear very organized because of routines, schedules, and usual practices. But if not prepared, the class is likely to fall flat. So, bot are needed for optimal succssfulness. Barry Westling

Hi Edward, I think there can be different kinds of off-task. You describe the overwhelmed student, and your advice to communicate and give direction to ease some of the stress is good advice. Another kind of off-task is students have lost focus during a class. Common reasons are they are ill, bored, unprepared, don't understand, or distracted by thoughts of...whatever. In this instance, getting on task may require asking questions, having them explain a segment of the lesson, or when needed, change activities to give their mind a break. Barry Westling