Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Rose: It may send the wrong kind of message to the student if we come across disorganized, something along the line of "I don't care enough about your learning to be organized". You can imagine the negative impact to your relationship that message might create. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Rose: Right! We can use these kinds of activities as an alternate way of presenting the material to the student, a secondary way of presenting the material whcih may address another learning style (ie: kinesthetic learners). Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Rose: These are all great reasons. In addition, you may also allow the student the chance to make changes in study habits as soon as possible, possibly facilitating a more successful outcome at the end of the course. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Brian: Another thing pretests are good for is it can show you what kind of student learner you have making lesson planning more effective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Brian: Most institutions agree with your sentiment - allowing the use of extra credit may allow a student to slip by and pass the course when they really can not demonstrate a passing understanding of the main concepts. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Beth: That's a great word you used to describe this concept: to "care about the student". If we are mindful of this, and are genuine about it, the student will feel this, and be open to almost anything you want to impart to them. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Pamela: The issue with being disorganized is that it may send the wrong kind of message to the student, one that says "I dont care about your learning". If that were to occur, what kind of long-term impact would it have to the student's respect of the course and with learning altogether? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Pamela: These kinds of mannerisms and such can be both beneficial AND distracting depending on the extremem to which we utilize them. I think the best ideal to consider when speaking about instructor personality is BALANCE. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Laura: That's very true - to echo your sentiment, it may send the wrong kind of message to the student group if we disorganized, a message that might cause a long-term negative impact to their idea of the class and learning altogher. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Pamela: The strong thing about offering extra credit in the way you have described is that it serves as a reward for those students who are completing everything, and not for students who can not demonstrate a basic understanding of the main ideas, allowing them to slip by and pass the course. Regards, Barry