Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Kamarah: It's a great idea to make extra credit available to all students, if used at all. One thing to consider is should there be a requirement to have access to that extra work? For example, is it available regardless, or should students need to be present every day? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Colleen: Good! In addition, an instructor must always keep in mind "what will my students ultimately do with this information". In some cases, depending on the class, this may have a direct result in what they do in their career. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Marcia: To continue in the same vein of your comment, the instructor can also use these pretests as a way of seeing what kind of learning methods are best for their class. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Marcia: That's true - and the opposite may occur as well. If an instructor is not prepared, this may send the message that the instructor does not care, or is not invested in that student's success. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Jose: You make a strong point - the opposite is very important to consider here. What might occur if the instructor came across less than prepared? It may result in the instructor loosing credibility. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Jose: Passion is a great way to enthusiastically impart information. Instructors should also remember to try to keep emotional interests out of the class which may end up distracting the student from learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Jose: In addition, pretests are a good way for the instructor to evaluate what kind of learning the student uses to gain new information. By knowing this, the instructor can also prepare their information more efficiently. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Jose: Yes - allowing students to see their progress provides the opportunity for them to make on-course corrections in study habits. By doing so, the student may see more successful outcomes. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Marcia: This technique is often used in junior college level instruction and above. It would be curious to see if it were used in high school, would students have more successful outcomes as a result of the higher order of organization? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Marcia: It is trully important to review syllabi the first day of class to allow students an opportunity to clarify expectations. Some instructor use a follow-up, non-graded quiz to observe if the student received the basic understanding of those expectations. Regards, Barry