Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Kathryn: Or, it may send the wrong message to the student. "I'm not organized, because I don't care enough about your learning to be organized". Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Kathryn: That's a grat way to put it. I might also add that we are utlimately trying to help our students make more informed decisions on both the job, and in their lives. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Kathryn: Addtionally, these may help to identify what kind of student learner you have, making lesson planning more effective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Kathryn: That's it exactly - and if instructors will do this consistenetly, at a minimum once a week, it will give the student a chance to make changes in study habits as soon as possible. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Luke: I like the method you've described. I think everyone would want to keep in mind that no matter the media source we use for our learning environment, we would want to foster some kind of discussion to keep the environment interesting. However, I recognize that this isn't always practical for every subject (like math). Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Roberto: Great point - the key is balance with every type of attitude, passion, delivery style, personality trait, etc. The difficult thing can be to remember and honor the need for balance between all thes things to be the most effective instructors that we can. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Amy: That's the best description I've heard so far about what it means to be this. I think it's an attitudinal concept that eventually needs to translate into a type of behavior that the instructor has all the time. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Melissa: Indeed, these kinds of activities can offer the student another perspective about the topic matter you've been discussing. It's also great if they get a chance to speak with someone in the field they will be pursuing. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Keveka: THe nice thing about trips is that they can also give the student a chance to speak to others in the field and get a fresh perspective about a topic you've been describing in class. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Donald: Extra-credit can definitely serve the student. As long as there isn't the chance of the student being able to pass the course through the sue of it, when they haven't demonstrated an understanding of the material. Regards, Barry