Barry Westling

Hi Miriam: Good! Vocational readiness is a good way to summarize our overarching goal in most career schools. But if only a single class is in discussion, then we might say our goal is to meet the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's) by assuring daily teaching objectives are being met through a variety of learning resources. Regards, Barry

Hi Andrew: Good response. Each of us can use what we have naturally to fine tune important traits that lead to effective instruction - traits such as knowledge, dependability, communication, creative, courteous, efficient, appreoachable, honest and sincere. With these, nearly any class would be successful. Regards, Barry

Hi Miriam: I think most students have a little bit of all three, but probably one is more dominant. If we can determine what sense is more dominat, we can cater to their individual needs. Regards, Barry

Hi Miriam: For me, learning outcomes are sort of like the "what a student is supposed to learn", whereas, daily objectives are the "how the material and objectives will be accomplished".If done correctly, improved student results will occur. Regards, Barry

Hi Nikki: I really like field trips - they make classes interesting, students like them, and well planned trips can be quite motivational. What's good is students may see a situation that would never be seen in the classroom. Sometimes students may even begin to do better in class if they get well inspired. Regards, Barry

Hi Nikki: Good points. It's really easy to rely on prepared classes that heve been succesful in the past. The real challenge is to do unique, individualized instruction with our classes, to make them student-centered (vs. curriculum-centered or teacher-centered). Doing good takes effort. Regards, Barry

Hi Andrew: Fun, upbeat classes will always be more interesting and contribute to keeping students attention. When teachers feel their personality is reserved or introverted, I remind them, even that is a personality, and so it can be cultivated to bring an outstanding, informative, and interesting class. The key is for the teacher to want that environment to exist. Regards, Barry

Hi Geneva-Marie: Students expect a lot from their instructors. Sometimes I think they are being too unrealistic if they hold their teachers up to a high standard. Nonetheless, I think being as real as possible, approachable and showing a desire to be helpful to all students in a friendly manner, and of course, being knowlegebale in their subject matter - these traits will produce good results in the classroom. Regards, Barry

Hi Geneva-Marie: Great. These simple steps are often all it takes to get students reengaged. Other times it may be necessary to be a bit more aggressive, and change activities, or even format, such as from lecture to lab, or wriring exerc ise to discussion, etc. The goal is to keep the student focused and on target with the lesson material. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeremy: It seems like you already have a great grasp of this concept. For newer instructors, perhaps a great way to identify the points you make for themselves would be to keep a teaching journal that would help identify strengths and weaknesses. Regards, Barry