Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Mahnaz, Well certainly if no learning occurs after completion of a course, either the teacher or the student did not try. Sometimes it may be both entities. But getting the skills, knowledge and behavior that readies a student for the work setting usually also sets them up for for a better quality of life and successful career. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Timothy, The best personal attribute a teacher can have is being honest with their perceived strengths and areas that may need improvement. Getting objective feedback through assessment instruments such as BM or similar personality indicators is one way. Peer evaluation is another. I think a trusted colleague a teacher asks to sit in their class and really critique will likely give realistic feedback. It is here that our perception and that of another experienced teacher requires an ability to accept information and try to make improvements on it. Of course, student evaluations can also provide insight, especially when some… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Mahnaz, I surely agree that a prepared teacher contributes to an effective learning environment. Taking individual time with students personalizes their view that their teacher cares about their learning. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Timothy, Back-up plans are essential, for the very reason you provided. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Timothy, I think students derive their many reasons why they think a class is good or if their teacher cares - we don't need to add to their ideas by our lack of preparedness. I think just being there when students arrive, to be able to answer a question, explin something, or even just chat about general goings on helps create a sense of caring. Of course this means getting copies made, resources ready, and class organized has to precede this important before-class visiting. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Timothy, You've introduced some very helpful and creative alternatives to assist participants think about what guest and field trip resources they may have access to. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Julie, Good point. Students come to us for learning, not "cushioned gardes". I believe we do our students a disservice if we pad their grade with non-essential work. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

Hi Robert, I like current event-type stories too. One problem is if even one person is not informed or has not been following the "story" they may be lost. An example of this is late-night comics. When they are doing their dialog and they refer to "in the news" stories in order to make a joke, sometimes the jke flops becuase only a few audience members are up to speed with the details. Then, if they have to explain it...double bad! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Larry, Yeah, I've experienced something similar, when discussion groups get of track and are just visiting and wasting time. To combat that, a time limit and expectatations for some sort of "finished product" that is either turnmed in or present to the class can help. When there is a grade associated with an activity, this tends to keep discussion on target. I think lectures are just a sppecial kind of discussion. So frequent interaction with the class (questions, comments, stories or past experiences from students) help keep the dialog moving pertinent, and active by all. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Edward, In career-oriented classes, I think the value of being attentive, focused, participative, engaged is more critical as expectations for job readiness are often at stake. In academic settings where meeting learning objectives (verified by testing) is the primary goal, a teacher may want to exercise more lattitude. One way to guage this is if not paying attention is a distraction to the teacher or other students, they need to either pay attenjtion or leave. Back to the career-oriented class, leaving may not be an option, and the student reguired to "be there". Barry Westling