Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Tom: One way we can be consistently flexible to meet the student needs is by asking for reiteration from the students in the form of class discussions. If we see the students are grasping a new topic, we may be inclined to make some kind of change in the presentation. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Lawrence: The nice thing about the approach you are describing is that it does not allow for students to say "I didn't know that was the expectation about XYZ". Especially if you are having them sign a page of understanding. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

Hi Crystal: Your comment reminds me of the value of keeping a journal of some sort to help the instructor remember what worked and what didn't, so improvements can be made to all areas the next time through. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Laura: In career oriented programs, the goal should absolutely involve the ability to perform the essential functions of that job. We also might say the goal of educating is to help students learn the most effective way of making good choices in life. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Amy: The positive thing about regularly communicating class standing to each student is that it may offer time to let the student make changes in study habits before it's too late. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Laura: To piggy-back on something you wrote, these tools are an effective way to measure what kind of learner your student is, which can help make for more effective lesson planning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Paul: That's so true - all of us have probably had a knowledgable instructor that no longer had the passion they once did about the topic. Those types of classes are SO dry, and that dryness is most likely perceived by the students. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Marilyn: I think field trpis are very cool! Students get motivated and inspired in way unlike most other instructional methods provide. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Barry: Basically, I read your response as reflecting on the effectiveness of your instructional strategies and the student responses to those. Reflecting is a cool experience, especially when it's done months (or years) later. It shows growth, progress and invites a peek into how a teacher may have altered their viewpoint about topics or material related to the course. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Cory: Great. I think for many classes this is one of the best uses for PPT, especially when combined with other learning resources. We need to keep the students focused and attentive. That's not easy, especially if classes arte longer than a couple of hours at a time. PPT has a way of making topics a little more interesting. Regards, Barry