Barry Westling

Hi Shane: 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. Regard, Barry

Hi Nancy: 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

Hi Tom: One thing that may work well with reviewing SLOs on a regular basis is to write out the daily objectives (that correlate with the overall objectives) on the white board each day. Additionally, the instructor might review these daily objectives both at the beginning of the class, and at the end. Regards, Barry

Hi Shane: 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 Shane: 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 Lisa: 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 Shane: 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 Lisa: 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 Shane: Keep in mind 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 Susie: To find out what kind of instructor you are, one might consider keeping a teaching journal. One thing a journal can help to reveal is what kind of person you are when you write down how you feel things went in class. Another great thing about using a teaching journal is that it might help reveal items that need improvement in the lesson prior to the next go ‘round. Also, improvements can be made in both what has worked, and what hasn’t. Regard, Barry