Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Roger: Perfect example of the benefits of this tool! Pretesting works best when it is unknown what students know or don't know about a class or categories within a classs (like Excel). Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Carlos: What I get from pretesting is unknown information revealed that shows me where I my need to add or change the emphasis in a class, usually a first timer class, wher little is know about student performance. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Althea: Well, I think you're being very proactive in asking about due dates in other classes. This can run into traffic jams at times for students, and may interfere with all of the class assignments due near the same time. You're assignment and giving the first days schedule only is rather unique, but I see it's working for you, so terrific. Students usually want to plan all their dates, but your point (as related to this forum post) is that you will be customizing the course based on the individuals, their experiences, abilities, likes and dislikes, etc. So, in… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Kent: You're right, it only takes a time or two to experience the awful situation of not having your studff together to mae a personal commitment to avoid having that repeated. When organized, we spend time to make time, and that is good for the students. Unprepared and disorgaized teachers usually end up wasting a lot of time, valuable time that's taken away from students. So students suffer when the teacher is unprepared. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Jennifer: I want to help students learn, offer encouragement and support, advice and suggestions. Tese are tenets of teaching. I'm not a fan of giving points for doing little work. Usually extra credit has little to do with learning and more to do with points and grades. As I said, I want to teach and expect my students to learn, and I'll do what I can to achieve that. Giving away points does not achieve learning outcomes. My opinion. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Jennifer: Good. Sometimes just asking a simple question sort of "jolts" the student(s) back into focus. And sometimes, students willbe willing to join in, be engaged, participative (active), and contribute hepful material or information to the lesson. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Maria: Stories, past mistakes, situations, yes, students can both relate to and rfemember stories and thus, they tend to retain information better. Sometimes students will also be able to contribute to these scenario's, which is great when students become engaged and participative (active) in their learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Jennifer: You've got a good reward system there! All speial senses (hearing,vison, smell, etc) and the general senses (balance, pain, pressure, etc.) can be used in the learning process, especially if the student can learn to: * Tune in to the sense (sensory stimulation) * Associate it with pleasure * Merge the two: sensory stimulation with pleasure to create improved learning In this way, many senses can be involved when studying, listening or watching a demonstration, writing, even thinking. This takes practice, but with guidance and consistent use, our senses can be hightened and enhanced to improve the learning… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Stephannie: For me, frequent discussios of perormance (face-to-face) is very helpful. Although I use an electronic grading system, in fact the whole course is online, it's just taught in a tradiional on-ground manner, studentscan ge up to the minute updaes of their grades, points, progress, etc. Nonetheless, I feel it's important to be able to connect and communicate with my students, to develop relationships, to sense where they may need help, and where and how to achieve optimal performance. Also, encouragement and support offered with kindness and a caring attitude conveys I'm interested in their success. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Linda: Yeah, this is a subtle thing, simple to o, but effective in keeping attention and students focused (at least, most of the time). Regards, Barry