Barry Westling

Hi Laura, Field trips of most any kind have an inspirational power to them. True, some settings might require them to fully understand the career or certain proficiences that must be mastered. I think anytime we can schedule a good field trip the students will benefit. Barry Westling

Hi Jeanie, Good point. The day of spoon feeding (in the adult population taking career classes) has long passed. We need workers who can think as well as do. Thinking sills cannot be told in advance, but teaching students how to think by using applications, stories, examples, case studies, and pretend scenarios promotes the environment of development of independent thought. Barry Westling

Hi Laura, For me, providing the knowledge skills, and behavior for success at work is a primary goal. Along with that includes the soft skills such as professionalism, attendance and punctuality, dress and appearance, and appropriate language, ethics, and values that will assist in first getting, then keep a job. Barry Westling

Hi Debra, Games are good stuff. It can break up a learning session, add variety, and keep the students interested and focused. Barry Westling

Hi Debra, Students learn differents ways, and games, although usually low key, can be a means of stimulating thought and add a degree of career perspective to the class, and also add variety to break up the class session. Usually, good stuff. My caution: using them just to fill time and not related to the course or subject matter. Barry Westling

Hi Robert, Super. Almost any class that has an instructor that is high energy, enthusiastic, upbeat, and excited about the subject matter is going to captivate their students. And it's infectious, in that this kind of teacher trait tends to create the same in ther students. Barry Westling

Hi J, Instructional media should also relate directly to course and student learning objectives. Daily subject topics may be interesting and related to the profession, but if they miss touching on a predetermined outcome, then perhaps another, more appropriate media choice should be selected. Barry Westling

Hi Jeanie, Real wold should be included in the student learning outcomes if we are to prepoare for the work setting. This may tangible and measurable things such as credentialing, licensing, certification, proficiencies, or skill performance. It may also include intangibles such as professionalism, attendance and puinctuality, dress and appearance, and high moral, ethical and appropriate work behavior. Of course, the big one is getting a job that leads to a successful caeer! Barry Westling

Hi Laura, Great! Experienced teachers have learned what works and what seems like it might have worked but failed to deliver. Perhaps, that's why they call someone expierenced as one who has a history of mistakes behind them! Barry Westling

Hi Zeina, Yeah, this is awful when what we need to present cannot fit into the allotted time. Hurried to get through material at the end of class must give a poor message to students too. Trial and error, planning, and keeping control of unnecessary chatter are ways to maximise the available class time. Barry Westling