Barry Westling

Hi Rickey: One thing to keep in mind is the idea of BALANCE when discussing or thinking about personality in the classroom. If there is too much of any personality style, be it too humorous, or too strict, etc., this may serve only to distract the student from a full understanding of the course material. Regards, Barry

Hi Alphia: One of the best ways of being a student-centered instructor is to consistently be flexible in our approach. This may be difficult, especially with technical course work that must be delivered to the student in order for them to move on in a training program. However, if we can always keep in mind the teaching methods that work best for your student group, and having a willingness to make changes in delivery on the fly will promote the outcomes that are in the best interests of our students. Regards, Barry

Hi Dee: Some institutions have moved away from allowing the use of extra-credit due to some issues that arise. If a student can pass a course without demonstrating an understanding of the primary concepts, that may end up resulting in angry feelings from other students who have worked hard to earn a solid grade. Regards, Barry

Hi Donna: One of the best methods for grading systems is to develop a rubric that is presented to the students the first day of class (or as soon as possible) so the student knows the expectations. Regards, Barry

Hi Rufino: The problem with consistent disorganization from an instructor is the potential loss of credibility with the students, and the message it may send, which is “I’m not concerned enough about your learning to be organized for you”. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: One thing we can say about the overall goal of education is to help our students become more effective decision makers - in school, in their careers, and in life. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: One of the benefits of using pretests is they may help reveal what kind of learning style your student uses. Knowing this may help you create more effective lesson plans. Regards, Barry

Hi Jeffrey: By consistently allowing students to have an idea of how they are doing in class, they have the chance to make changes in study habits as soon as possible. By doing this, they promote a more successful outcome for themselves by the end of the course. Regards, Barry

Hi Rufino: One thing we can say about the overall goal of education is to help our students become more effective decision makers - in school, in their careers, and in life. Regards, Barry

Hi Andrew: One technique that may also work well is to have the instructor walk around while lecturing, bringing a closer physical proximity to the student. This is not always a practical solution, and may not work for certain course work. Regards, Barry