Barry Westling

Hi Richard: For me, the purpose is to exchange or transfer the extent of what I've learned and pass that along to my students. This may be from life or work experiences, education or training, mistakes, and even student interactions over the years. As you point out, we should learn from all experiences we encounter. Regards, Barry

Hi David: Prepared teachers know it takes time, effort, thought, and coordination to collect all the needed pieces together for a truly memorable and meaningful class. Without these ingredients, we're likely to see just average (or less) classroom experiences. Who wants to settle for just mediocre. We owe our student all we can give. Regards, Barry

Hi Richard: You're right, we are being "evaluated" all the time in one way or another. Academically, our society demands that some sort of objective measure that provides for standardized testing practices is in place to prevent lawsuits that could claim discrinimation or unfair practices. That's too bad, but it's a reality. For me, the basic reason for evaluations is to determine to what degree a student has learned. I suppose a secondary reason would be to measure my successfulness in teaching, or measure the effectiveness of the curriculum, ass all of these occur when we do assessments. Regards, Barry

Hi Stacey: Personality can bring a sense of interest, excitement, enthusiasm, expectation, satisfaction, and fun into the leraning environment. But too much of one mode, or over the top theatrics usually doesn't work. I think student expect sincerity, honesty, and a professional deameanor from their instructors. Sometimes, the delivery can get in the way of the message, so balance is important. One way to check this is to have a peer teacher (who you can trust to be honest) sit is a class to observe and comment. Their comments may help tweak some delivery improvements. Regards, Barry

Hi Stacey: We are role models, no doubt about it. Students will behave to the degree our expectations dictate. So even if we say one thing, but act another (disorganized, unpreprepared), that's the new expectation students will follow as well. When we're prepared, we are now providing expectations for the class, and also setting the example by following the same standards we expect of the students. Regards, Barry

Hi Linda: EC is usually regarded by many as unfair, adds to grade inflation, and (as you point out) allows students to substitute required work for prefered EC work. But I would agree that if whole chunks of material is being missed by the majority of the class, then reassessment of the class (objectives, timing, sequencing, lab, media, resorces, delivery style) ought to occur to assure the maximum use of the students time and learning is being achieved. Regards, Barry

Hi Linda: It's great you have lattitude to perform a healthy and seemingly beneficial exercise. Many teachers would not. Nonetheless, I think discussion is always beneficial, and students will usually warm up to work stories, situations, or case studies and examples that relate to the career area they're studying for. Regards, Barry

Hi Linda: I sometimes refer to a pretest of "previews of coming attractions". I have a purpose in learning what level my class is performing at. But to the students, they get a glimpse of what's ahead, a head start on areas they may need extra work or study, and get a great introduction to what the course will entail - a preview! Regards, Barry

Hi Susan: Your example describes a tool. As professional educators, we need the tools that help get our job done in the most efficient and effective manner. I think planning is a needed ingredient when selecting media choices. Thought is required as to how best convey the topic, and this takes time, effort, and seeking out the identified resources. Regards, Barry

Hi Susan: Poor organization is really a sweet way of saying "chaos": diorder, confusion, and reduced learning potential for the student. If the student doesn't learn, then we have not taught! This is where supporters of performance based merit pay base their argument. In this forum, it kind of makes sense. Regards, Barry