Barry Westling

Hi Jose: Good. Besides feeling good, if we intervene early on, the student has time to make adjustments and see the corrections reflected in their grade. It's a good time to reinforce our care, encouragement and support as well. Regards, Barry

Hi Anna Marie: Things just go better and smoother when we're prepared. The class is relaxed if the teacher is relaxed. There's time for interruptions, repetition, or student questions if needed. Students appreciare the readiness and order of a well prepared class. Regards, Barry

Hi Connie: What sounds good is you have an early intervention method of getting with your students early on. Great!. I also use this time to encourage and offer support as well as advice and suggestions. Helps build trust and respect. Regards, Barry

Hi Colin: For me student centered simply takes the position that the focus shifts to the individuall needs of the student, over my canned, prepared lessons that are more generic to the whole class. If I individualize my interaction and instruction, that student will kikely do better overall. Regards, Barry

Hi Anna Marie: I think most of the participants in the course teach in vocational settings, so training for a career is surely one goal. For me, I think meeting all course objectives, student learning outcomes, along with my experiences, training and education blend to make a climate where the student is capable of retaining the knowledge and skills needed to be successful when the graduate. Regards, Barry

Hi Anna Marie: I use pretesting when I'm unsure of the degree of knowledge or preparation my students are performing at. Like you, I can also make tweaks to my curriculum to put more emphasis where it will help the most. Regards, Barry

Hi Anna Marie: Right. I think frequent and eraly-on status reports helps most becuse this gives the student a chance to correct and improve, make the adjustments needed, and see it reflected in their grade. Regards, Barry

Hi Barbara: Field trips in particular can be a great activity to allow students to see for themselves certain aspects of the work they'll be doing. I find students often try harder in school after they've been on a field trip. Regards, Barry

Hi Jennifer: Both activities involving guest speakers and field trips are very powerful to motivate, inspire, and create a renwed vision for many students who may only have vague ideas about what their profession requires, or they get clarification about certain aspects of the profession - many times not different from what the teacher has taught, but serves to validate the importance of that information. Regards, Barry

Hi Rajini: Lists, planning, and thinking about outcomes seems to always keep me on track, and helps me when I begin to stray or wander off course. Regards, Barry