Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Joseph: When student feel their teacher is both cnfident and competent, that will instill a willigness to coorespond in like manner. Respect will result. Unprepared is unprofessional. And disorganized conveys poor planning - neither trait is conducive to a good learning environment. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Joseph: For me, my goal, stated in the broadest sense, is to assure the student is job ready. There are many techniques, resources, plans, and approaches to achieve this. Among, and perhaps above all of these, is to try to personalize the instruction as much as possible. When we are able to respond to students as individuals, and tailor their instruction for where they're at, that will benefit them for than anything Of course time and class numbers limit how much can be done in this regard. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Joseph: Pretesting can be a helpful tool. It takes some prep time, and course time away from other activities, but when I don't how much my students know, or when they're just beginning, that's a good time to do pretesting. Also, it doesn't have to be an exhaustive pretest. Sometimes, just 2-3 questions is all that is needed to determine where the emphasis of the topic will be. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Joseph: Most students want to know how they're doing. As an aside, I think whatever method a teacher uses to share course status, there should be some time avilable to personalize it - to encourage, support, inspire, and to convey that you care about their success. I've found when students feel the teacher is rooting for their students success, that will foster better performance by the student. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Hank: You're right, evalation and assessment can take on many forms. The goal here is to measure learning, or the degree to which it has occurred. In some professions, grades are not as important as the skills that a student must demonstrate, due to the nature of the job they're doing. Having an "A" student who can't perform on the job is a serious concern. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi James: Some schools that use electronic grading systems provide a means for the student to know where they stand virtually instantaneously. That's good on one level. I also think it's important to have some 1-on-1 time with each student to inform them of their staus, but also encourage, offer support, and convey we're there to help them succeed, not fail. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Mistakes made when selecting course content

Hi Kathy: I have found experienced teachers want to add continuously add to the content. This can potentially lead to content overload. Changes, additions, and new content can and should be added but it needs to be balanced factors such as time, duplication, and failure to engage the student. The more involved the student is in their lerarning will result in better content retention and learning. Presumably, this will make for a better prepared worker. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi James: In some ways, no class is ever going to be the same in terms of delivery, resources, emphasis, or time spent on a topic, even though the exact content is being taught every session. This where the value of having pre-created back-up plans can be a real assistance to students. We have to assume students learn differently and at different paces. So being able to pull something from the treasury of instructional strategies to assist a student is needed. Better teachers prepare a whole bunch more than they ever have time for. Some of this can turned into… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Kelly: Organization reflects something about the skills the teacher has in providing instruction. The preparation suggests the effort the teacher has put in to assuring their students will get their money's worth in every lesson and moment while they are in class. Even though it's work, I think most students appreciate the organization and preparation a good teacher will go to in order to convey "I care your learning". Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Kelly: For me, a very borad-based goal is to assure the SKA's (skills, knowledge, and behaviors) needed for the job are accomplished within the time frame given. Tansforming a student with little skill or knowledge into a performing, job-ready graduate is another general goal. How we go about this can vary, and should, based on the student's individuls needs. Regards, Barry