Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Jeremiah: Good way to handle idle minds or inattention. Stories are magical in terms of capturing students attention, and most of the time, their interest. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Jeremiah: Good point and well described! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Student learning outcomes

Hi David: Application is always a good teacher. Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's) describe what a student should learn in a course. They may not be too specific, but do describe what a student will know, learn, understand, apply, etc. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi David: Few exercises can match the inspirational feeling that occurs with good guest speakers in the classroom. And when students are inspired, they also get motivated to do better and perhaps try harder, too. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi David: Many teachers would agree. My standard response is EC can skew grades, be viewed as unfair, and may aaallow essential information to be missed. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Kimberlee: Good ideas. Measuring performance (or degree of learning that has occured) is the most basic definition I can think of. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Kimberlee: I agree we should attempt to transfer all we can because we dealing with the next generation of workers, regardless of the profession. Much of what we know is not in textbooks, so some kinds of information have to be passed on from person to person. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Kimberlee: Change-ups are effective and nearly always work. Sometimes something simpler will work, like, just taking a break, asking questions, calling on students to discuss the lesson - in short, involving them, making the session active more than passive learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Kimberlee: Yeah, blank faces are an ominous sign of lost interest or understanding. What you try to do to reengage and restore their focus is noteworthy and may be worth memorializing it in your journal. This is the kind of information that reading about at a later time makes using a journal a great tool for teachers. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi David: An organized teacher has all the parts working for him/her: resources, media, lectures, teaching aids, handouts, etc. When students see the time, planning and effort that has gone into preparing for a class they will realize the student cares and is ready to teach. Regards, Barry