Barry Westling

Hi Noah: One of my responses to your earlier posts can apply here too. Set the expecations at the beginning of your course. If your time allows, offer tutoring to students who are struggling. A good back up plan is to divide your students into groups and have them discuss an aspect of your course, then talk about it to the whole group. Regards, Barry

Hi Noah: In response to your question, I think the best answer is an absolute NO!! In other words, lay out the expectations for passing the course on the first day of class, create rubrics to help the students see what those expectations are, create tutoring sessions for students that need help. But NEVER, under any circumstance change the curriculum to accomodate a selcet few. You will totally lose the respect of the students who are already succeeding. Regards, Barry

Hi Noah: Absolutely - anything we can do to help encourage our students to make it through is just, be that guest speakers, field trips, one on onel interactions, etc. Regards, Barry

Hi Kevin: Something for all instructors to consider when it comes to our personalities is the idea of "balance", or not having too much of any one type of personality. Not too strict, not too funny, not to professional/square, but a little bit of all of this. Regards, Barry

Hi Kevin: These are great methods. Something to consider is alos never let students become disengaged in the first place by setting up the learning environment in an appropriate manner. For eample, how about on the first day of class, telling the group they will be asked questions throughout each class day and may be called on to answer the question at any given moment? Regards, Barry

Hi Daniel: Feed back is necessary - absolutely. Also, we don't have to wait until quiz or exam time. We can teach a point, then immediately assess the whole class, then move on, teach a point, and then again, assess the whole class. This doesn't take that much longer, and it assures all students are getting the information. Regards, Barry

Hi Kevin: We might also say the overall goal of all education is to help our students make better, more informed decisions in life/on the job. Regards, Barry

Hi Audrey: Exactly! The journal can reveal this notion - "gosh, that didn't work as well as I thought", or "gosh, that worked really well!". Regards, Barry

Hi Daniel: Good - discussion can be a literal wake up to seemingly disinterested students. Discussions need to be monitored to make sure all are participating. If you are leading the discussion, random questioning and follow-up will keep everyone on their toes ("who will be called on next?"). Regards, Barry

Hi Terri: So what you're really describing here about knowing yourself is the application of your love for teaching manifesting as a positive energy in the learning environment, right? If so, I totally agree. Students will pick up on the "mood" of the instructor and respond appropriately to it, be it positive or negative. Regards, Barry