Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Bruce, Great. Comments from tteachers are valuable and powerful. We need to remember we are role models and some students (not all) take what we have to say very seriously. Almost like a reassuring parent. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Therese, For me, taking just a little personal time to give praise, encouragement, or acknowledge improved performance is a helpful way to keep students informed of how the teacher feels about their performance which for many, is much for powerful than the letter grade or points. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Miriam, Great. This valuable time can the turning point to success. Students can also choose to disregard the advice and end up with no progress. But I believe the more personalized we make our time with the students, better student outcomes will improve. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Shawn, Electronic gradebooks and records are great in a convenience sense. I think student students still benefit from some 1 on 1 face to face time time with their instructor if for no other reason than to encouarge and offer support. Perhaps you do that anyway - if so, great. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Thomas, Some students may be engaged by learning their status but I've found it takes direction and effort by the teacher to make engagement continuous and sustained. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Miriam, Evaluation ultimately has to measure learning (or lack of). There are formal, documented forms, and there are informal, ungraded forms. Evaluation occurs even when we are facilitating class and ask students questions (informal, ungraded). But we still can derive information about student performance and need to offer assistance, even from informal evaluation. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Miriam, Teachers in this situation still have two areas of control: Designing tests that measure learning (emphasis on essay and/or worked problems) and clear and specific guidelines for day of testing. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Miriam, Choosing grading criteria is as impoetant as choosing course curriculum. Although it sounds simple, we want to place more weight on the most important topics. Arriving at that balance takes thoughtful evaluation and consideration. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Eddie, I think our goal is job readiness along with other skills that will assure geeting a job, then keeping it. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Teresa, I find that my skills as a teacher require flexibility in how I deliver various segments of my classes. I know students benefit from this adaptation as different topics or activities require different approaches. Regards, Barry