Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Brandy: Good point - in addition, we might also say "to impart knowledge", however, what you've said is especially true for career oriented courses. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Hi Brandy: Student learning outcomes (SLOs) provide the basic foundational expectation the student should meet at the beginning of the course. Based on these expectations, the instructor can more easily make a well-informed evaluation of the student's capacity to meet the stated objective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Alisa: Many would agree with you. There are few instances where EC really helps students in the learning process and is more useful in awarding points and or grades, which really doesn't have too much to do with learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Ronald: We all have our self perceived perspective of our actions, our poresence, our contritubition, effort, and significance to to a discussion or teaching session. The more I know nmyself, the better equipped I am to be able to adapt, adjust, and blend to achieve the most effecyive learning outcomes. You're right, a misperception could be disastrous! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Hi Patsy: The cool thing about rubrics is if they're written well, they can be very objective in determining to what degree the student met the requirements of the assignment or not. The thing students dislike is when they feel they did better than their grade reflects, which can happen when a teacher grades using subjective criteria. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Jonathan: For me, student centered means I focus on student needs and progress, as opposed to the student trying to conform to my lesson plans and activities. It's liuke students focuced vs institutional or teacher-focused. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Staci: Similarly, by identifying strong and weak areas in ourselves, we can continually strive to improve upon both. Yes, both! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Michael: In other words, if we are disorganized, it may send the wrong kind of message to the student, which can have a long term impact to their willingness to learn from us. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Jessica: Another consideration might be that using a journal can help you identify what works and what doesn't. We can then consider what didn't work and why wasn't effective. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Jessica: This is certainly true for classes that are designed to help a student find a specific career. A braoder statement may also be "to impart knowledge". Regards, Barry