Barry Westling

Barry Westling

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Hi Marianne: I think all students can train to get "tuned-in" to their senses if they want to improve study, class performance, and practical sills. This does take some training. With practice, developing or enhancing a sense can be used to assist with memory, thinking, processing and tactile stimulation. For example, while reading for comprehension, a student can learn to feel the pages and texture of the textbook pages, enjoy the sound of the page turning, explore the the various images on a page (even down to the font and colors), smell the newness or scent of the text. I… >>>

Hi Todd: Yes, good. Also, this gives us an opportunity to offer encouragement and support, and kind words of advice and suggestions for improvement. Students will do better if they feel their teacher care about their learning. Regards, Barry
Hi Todd: These are good. I would add that variety and mixing up other media choices make for a fuller and richer learning experience. Just like eating the same diet day after day is boring, so can learning be if even great resources are not varied. Regards, Barry
Hi Todd: Organized teachers have taken time to prepare their classes with all of the resources, handouts, media, teaching aids, and of course personal preparation in order to deliver quality subject content in a logical, sequential manner conveyed in a confident manner. Students will be more attentive and likely learn more in class sessions where there is adequete preparation. Regards, Barry
Hi Noralee: Well prepared classes do tend to have a natural flow to them - calm, relaxed, seamless transition from topic to topic. This can only happen with lots of preparation. It's unlikely without preparation. When the teacher is prepared, the teacher is more confident, and the class becomes more enjoyable and interesting for all. Regards, Barry

Hi Sarah: Generally, I feel extra credit tends to inflate grades and focus on extra points more than learning. In one sense, if it's important and valuable to the learning process, than it should be included in the regular curriculum. There are exceptions. And every teacher has to decide where they set their grading and their class standard. I just want to avoid giving away points to slackers who have not done the required assignments, and then want to do something they like and receive points in substitution. Comining from a medical science profession, my perspective is there can be… >>>

Hi Kathleen: Yeah, it's that preparation that's importatnt. For me, that means giving all I can based on my education, training, experience, and yes, mistakes I've made. Students should be able to take what I give them and take farther down the road. Regards, Barry
Hi Alex: Great. The cool thing about student centered is the student becomes the focus, rather than a process, or following a preset model. Like wearing some else's shoes, one size doesn't fit all, so we need to be able to tailor the lesson to meet the needs of the students and their learning styles. Regards, Barry
Hi Alex: With established curriculum, one tip is to cover what is required very quickly (but thoroughly), then you can add your contribution and special emphasis as the subject matter expert. It is hard to follow someone else's outlines and notes. A good curriculum will include student learning outcomes (SLO's) and course objectives that define how and what is to covered. If you follow these, you should do fine. Regards, Barry
Hi Alex: Sometimes publisher PPT's are mere dry outlines of chapter material. I find them very difficult to use because I usually have my own spin that I want to present to the class, and it usually doesn't follow the textbook at all. I will use the image collection for reference, and these slides are good for adding to your personalized PPT presentation. Regards, Barry

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