Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Gerry: For me, mgrading should measure performance: Nacademic, lab, clinical, extern, and paid work performance. We start at the beginning. A grading system should be fair and accurate, and balanced as to the components that contribute towards those grades. It's better when many factotors contribute to the grade since diggerent learners test differrently. Sometimes, its trial and error. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Thomas: Acitivity, whether by the teacher or student is always better than stationary anything. Keeping students attention is helped by keeping their interest in the class, topic, or subject matter. Involving them is a proven activity that keeps their focus on target. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Thomas: Great way of organizing your activity. You can assure and determine the topic is relevant. Regrads, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Thomas: Each teacher and school needs to decide what policies and prcatices they will adopt based on factors that are relevant to their situation. Regarding extra credit, there is no right or wrong way. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Shereene: Nobody wants unbalanced, I'm sure. Pretesting can also help us compare before and after perormance, assess the strength of our curriculum, and assess the teachin and graing styles of different teachers grading the sam,e material. It is a very helpful activity. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Shereene: You're right. We will perform better, more confident, and smoother in our delivey when we feel we know the material and can present to different varieties off student cohorts. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Deborah: Pretesting does reveal much about the class as a whole. Adjusting your class, or "tewaking" to fine tune your cuuriculum is a benefit of this activity as well. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Mary Jane: For me, the goal is to teach or transfer what knowledge I have to my students so that they can apply it to their career field. Lifelong learning, as you suggest is an important attribute too, once they get into their work setting. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Mary Jane: Great. This is a common and useful reason to pretest. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Mary Jane: Extra credit is good for earning ponts, but less effective in producing thinking students, proficient in their profession. I think if something is inportant enough to earn points, it shoud be included somewhere in he ciurriculum. So we could say, are we interested in student earning points, or learning their craft? Jus my opinion. Regards, Barry