Barry Westling

Hi Grace: I'm in your camp - I don't eith for resons stated througout this thread. Regards, Barry

Hi Bernard: Best reason is to measure to what degree they learned what was expected. Regards, Barry

Hi Diana: Pretesting for me is an occassional activity - best when I have students I'm unsure of their performance. Regards, Barry

Diana: Great. Trying new techniques makes us stronger teachers. Regards, Barry

Sabrina: We can use the the time also to encourage and offer support along with advice and suggestions. Builds trust. Regards, Barry

Sabrina: Early intervention and frequnet communications are helpful strategies. Regards, Barry

Hi Joshua: Great! Student centered does focus on the individuality of the students vs relying on a canned, fixed curriculum that students are forced to listen to. I compare that to student enthusiastically anticipating class because they feel challenged, are not put down for having the courage to speak up and guess if unsure, and allowing their creative side have a say in thier learning. How nice when learning is viewed as fun, exciting, interesting and enjoyable. A little grows into more. Competence breeds confidence which breed more competence, logarthmically excelling into fuller potential and understanding. Yeah!! Regards, Barry

Hi Ron: Not giving EC could also provide a truer guage of the students knowledge. When I see a doctor, I don't ask or care about their grades they received, I'm only interested in how they can help me. Teaching is about learning; we only use grades to be consistent and measure student performance. Tweaking the grades to (raise) the grade does nothing to measure student performance. Perhaps it works for some teachers in certain classes. I just don't give EC. Regards, Barry

Hi Ron: You're correct. Variety in media choices, instructional aides, and teaching/topical resources keep the material fresh, the students interested, and provide a more enjoyable learning experience. Part of this is more senses are involved, and more stimulation of different parts of the brain are being exercised. Plus, if a student is involved in "active" learning, their lessons will become memorable and meaningful. Regards, Barry

Hi Gina: Yes, student success produces a good feeling of accomplishment. For me, student centered places the focus of my teaching on individual student needs vs my fixed, cann, prepared curriculum I might have given. The end content may be the same, but how I achieve it is different. It's like I go to them rather than the student having to come up to me. Regards, Barry