Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Gregory: What you are so aptly describing is that these activities can serve to renew interest in the topics you've been describing in class, and give them a fresh perspective on how the topics relate to the real world scenario. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Samuel: And, it may also help show the student what kind of changes in study habits they need to make to foster a more effective outcome at the end of the course. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Samuel: And, in general, using a journal can help you make inprovements in BOTH strengths and weaknesses to facilitate more effective teaching in the manner you've described. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Mark: That's true! But we also don't want to mistakenly send the wrong kind of message by being disorganized. What would it suggest to you if you had an instructor who was disorganized? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Tom: It may send the wrong kind of message to the student if the instructor is disorganized. For example, what a terrible thing if our behavior suggests to the students that we don't care about their learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Kim: You are describing the concept of flexibility here so well, one of the hallmark components of being a student-centered instructor. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Anne: Exactly! Renew their interest in the topics you've been discussing in class and bring a fresh perspective to them. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Anne: Also, if our students can more fully articulate the concepts we've been describing in our classes, that might be one indicator that we have met our primary goal. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Anne: Another thing pretests are good for are that they can show you (possibly) 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 Anne: Additionally, they may become more motivated to make changes in study habits that will foster a more successful outcome at the end of the course. Regards, Barry