Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Betty: Sometimes too much or too little content is planned. This is especially true for new classes and/or new teachers. Course content is based on Course Objectives (CO's) and Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's). From there, the daily or weekly objective are derived. This is where the nitty-gritty of planning out lesson planning occurs. Smetimes, the best one can do is guesstimate how much time will be needed. A helpful technique is to have a good back up plan to introduce should extra time be avilable near the end of a class. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Ron: For me, a part of the goal includes providing sound academic foundation along with skills that enable successful work readiness. This includes aspects of professionalsim and soft skils (worker courtesies) that contribute to positive worker successfulness. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Sara: I think balancing classes with a vareity of delivery works best for student interest and enjoyment, even if it requires the teacher to use a less favored delivery style. Thats how we grow - like a muscle we stretch to build something weak into something strong. Also by trying new techniques teachers often find they enjoy the activity and incorporate it into their delivery. Part of the key I think, is having an understanding of when I can go and when I need to hold off. Blending these two methods will produce better teachers who know their limitations… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Hi Betty: Weights aka components always take some thought. Since you have control over how much, a methodology I would think is important would include your course objectives (CO's) and Student Learning Objectives (SLO's). Also what media and related resources you have access to or need. Next, weights. One approach is to think about which grading criteria you want to use, then assign the weights afterwards. For instance, will there be a mid-term? Final; project; homework; class exercises; quizzes; essays; group project; class participation; skills; research; these kinds of things. Whatever is relevant, the next step would be to weigh… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Tracey: I can tell you are a naturally an organized teacher as these simple techniques are probably just a sampling of many oranizational "tricks" you use to keep order. What a great great trait for students to see and experience as I'm sure they'll pick up some of these techniques and apply them in their own lives. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Tracey: Being yourself is best. We can put on a "professional face" but if it's seen as disingenuine or artificial it won't be received well. Being sincere and honest, caring and supportive, and willing to help will nearly always be a successful formula. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Sabrina: If anything beyond what is stated at the beginning of class is given, it better have to do directly with course assignments requied by all, and graded in the same way. Good students who do all required work can feel slighted if they feel other lower performing students earned points they were not offered. They may even feel it's unfair to give any extra credit at all. It's a balance. Sometimes it's a policy. For me it's a simple concept: learning and teaching vs points and grades. Both are used, but where should the enphasis be? Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Hi Sabrina: Variety rules! The more ways we can evaluate a student the better chance we have of obtaining a true grade. There's literally a laundry list of methods, each with a purpose. So, like a buffet table, there are a lot of choices. We have to selct the methods that will give us the most information. We want to make sure both teacher and student are "satisfied" with the "bellies full" (of knowledge. Regards, Barry Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Sabrina: Socrates would just ask questions (and I suppose would give his personal assessment of knowledge acquired). We have to be objective for reasons pertaining to legal, accreditation, licensing, credentialing, employer expectations, and successful job worthiness. Somewhere in there is student learning so they will understand. But it can be murky due to all the external factors mordern education has to encounter and cater to. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Setting up a grading system

Hi Sabrina: Grading is about measuring learning. Or perhaps the degree to which a student has learned. So a grading system should consider factors such as met course objectives and student learning objectives, participation and effort, application and analysis of key course material, and skills testing (if applicable). The more variety in measuring will better determine the most accurate grade. Regards, Barry