Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Lynn: Good ideas. And I think there are diffrent types of loss of attention. One level just require students to quickly get refocused. Asking a student a question gets the attention of the class as they feel they asked a question also. Circulating around the room creates an active delivery. Looking directly at students (but not staring!) keeps their attention. Other times, more aggressive action is needed. This where we might transition from lecture to discussion, or doing worksheets to something in lab, etc. The key is to keep students active, in their minds and with their bodies. Even… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Linda: Yes, in fact really, it's a necessary tool. For me, reasons to evaluate have to do with measuring to what degree a student met the course objectives. If these are written well, then a student has a expectation of what to study, the teacher knows what to teach, and the test measures the student's performance on obtaining the knowledge. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Lynn: Good ideas and activities. All students have a blend of learning styles with one, sometimes two being more dominant. Besides learning style, there's sensory stimulation to enhance learning.In this instance, there's two parts. The first is to practice becoming aware or sensitive or stimulating one of the dozen or so of the general and special senses. The second part is to pratice associated that sensory stimulation with enjoyment and learning. With enjoyment and learning, every time that sense is stimulated, the student begins to associate studying, or reading, or writing notes, or thinking, or....whatever, with pleasure. It works!… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Kellie: Yes, stories, situtaion, circumstances, case studies, past mistakes, all these can be effective for earning. For those students who don't get the association, you can eith preface your story with "I'm going to share a story that will demonstrate to you that....etc". Or you can do the same thing afterwards, as in, "So, as you can see, it's important that we always....etc". Sometimes some students just need to have the obvious pointed out to them. They'll still remember the story and probably the point you had as well. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Benny: Yes, preparing for the future is a goal, p[erhaps more of an outcome. For me, a goal is more specific and tangible. I thing one component of the goal of edcating is to be able to teach my students so I can transfer some of the vast information that exists in our profession, to get thm to be thinkers, to know where to go to find new and emerging information. If I can ccomplish this, I will have achieved the goal, at least in part. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Adelaida: Anything that will keep the students attention and focused on the topic at hand is a valuabe resource. As teachers, we are experts at finding and using every bit of everything to use as a resource, even the students themselves. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Charles: An organized teacher has put time, effort, thought and planning into their lessons. They have taken the time to gather the needed resources and materialsfor class. They are there to greet students before classs and available to answer questions a student might have. Organizations produces time; time to instruct clearly and smoothly, transitioning from topic to topic with skill and composure. The class atmosphere is relaxed and calm. But I don't men sedate. Passion, enthusiasm, and an optimistic attitude create a presentation style that's hard not to be capitivated by. Planning and organizing our classes are key. Regards,… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Adelaida: Students can get motivated by both of these activities. Speakers are effective in giving details while field trips let the student visualize with their own eyes a potential future for themselves and their families. So the motivation comes from within as much as something given. Students can asipre to achieve a better future for themselves by these relatively simple academic activities. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Linda: Ice breakers can be effective. Other times, just a quick Q&A sumarrizin the past few minutes by calling on students and asking the class to evaluate the accuracy of the students answer. They'll begin to pay attention as who knows who will be picked on next. Other tme more aggressive means are needed, such as switching from lecture to lab, or writing to discussion, etc. This breaks the apathy of paying attention, and creates an more active learning environment. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Meron: It's hard not to be involved, engaged, and an active participant in a class when the presenter is enthusiastic, interesting, passionate about their topic, informative. It draws students into your web of catching their interest. Students listen when they feel there is something beneficial in the topic for them. Keeping an optimistic, high level of energy can create almost any topic into one they cries out "I want to be a part of that". Better classes create that environment. And it's so simple. Just attitude and approach by the teacher. Regards, Barry