Barry Westling

Hi Ray: Especially in your setting, asking questions keeps up a flow and pace that seems like it would capture attention, keep students interested, and maybe promote focus on the lesson when students begin to tire. Related to personal information, I think work or career related stories or past situations you've experienced is a good way to reengage studentsif you sense their drifting away. Regards, Barry

Hi Sharon: Yes. Even the most knowledgeable teacher can look like they don't know what they're talking about if they have not prepared adequately. Just some time, thought, effort, and planning is needed to prpare a game plan that the teacher can use to map out the lesson. Adjustments may be needed, but that's going to happen even for the most prepared teacher. Thta's why back-up plans are helpful. Students will appreciate the organized and prepared teacher and tend of offer a bit more respect for their expertise in preparing a well prepared class. Regards, Barry

Hi Sharon: Jorunals can be a labor of love, and consistency definitely makes for more meaningful review at a later time. Teachers use journals diiferent ways. It's what works for them. Yours is a good plan. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Barry

Hi Ray: Frequent sharing of grades, points, and status is important so the student can make adjustments, see a diiference, and achieve the grades they want. I always add that we can also use this time to offer some encouaragement and support. By thoughtful caring, students will appreciate our efforts and recognize we're interested in their success. Regards, Barry

Hi Ray: I agree that students like to have an organized environment, they have enough chaos in their lives already. Even if there are many assignments or lots of activity, when it's laid out in an orderly manner, presented in a logical and sequential order, and delivered with confidence and as planned and expected, this kind of order demonstrates planning has preced this lesson, and students will appreciate it. Regards, Barry

Hi Theresa: Sure! When we spend time informing students of their performance, we are still teaching by advising, suggesting, helping, and conveying ways to achieve good performance. We can also offer encouragement and support at this time. When student feel we care about their success, they'll be more attentive and likely to apply the suggestions we've given. Regards, Barry

Hi Sharon: Sounds something like memory by association (associate something we want to remember with something that we already remember). Wether it is or not, teaching students to use their senses is a great way to get from short term memory to long term memory. Regards, Barry

Hi Margie: Wll, you've provided somethig that apprenhtly works well for you and youyr particular class topc. In general, the question teachers need to ask about evaluation methods is: 1. Are they fair? 2. Do they measure the degree of learning a student has achieved? 3. Are they aligned with the course objectives and student learning outcomes. 4. Will the students feel they have been assessed well? The more we can come closer to these attributes the better our evaluations will be. Regards, Barry

Hi Caren: ood. Pretesting also allows you you make samll (or larger) adjustments in the curriculum in order to meet the needs of bulk of your students. Comparing performance on beginning day to final day can be quite enlightening as well. Regards, Barry

Hi Caren: I think you've defined the goals very well. Regards, Barry