Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Linda: Exactly - the students receive a fresh perspective from a different source other than the primary insttructor. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Stephen: To broaden this module a little, we can think of using activities that require other senses than just hearing is an illustration how other instructional activities can serve to help all types of learners: visual, ausio, and kinesthetic. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Edward: Great idea! By using personal anecdotes and/or stories that can be related to the topic is a great way to bring personal passion into the classroom, which may serve to renew interest in the topic from the student's point of view. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Brenda: What message does it send to the student if the instructor comes across as disorganized? As instructors we always need to be aware of the messages we're sending, intentional or otherwise. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Nelson: Exactly - by offering another perspective to the student may serve to renew interest in the topic alltogether. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Lori: Pretests can be an excellent method to see what kind of student learner you are dealing with. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Connie: You're right - it may not always be feasible to have field trips or guest speakers. On the other hand, if they can be incorporated, it can be a fresh perspective for the students to interact with another professional on a specific topic. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Connie: Or how about taking that one step further - plan to use (if possible) many instructional strategies on a regular basis to avoid putting students to sleep. Even graphics and interesting pictures can become montonous if that is all you are using. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Connie: Having back-up plans are also a great way of breaking up the delivery method for the class. We often think of back up plans as tools to use "just in case". But why not use them anyway? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hy Linnie: Being disorganized can have the potentioal of sending the wrong message to the student group. One way of preventing this is knowing the information front and back (of course), or by evaluating how a class went and how it can be improved. Regards, Barry