Barry Westling

Hi Robby: Good ddeeal. Frequent discussions help student know where additional study or work is needed. We can also offer some encouragement, advice, and show that we care about their success at the same time. Regards, Barry

Hi Robby: Very clear message here! Enrollment standards "should" prevent this imbalance but many schools have very minimal enrollment standards. I can deny an enrollment, but I always give the student a plan to define what's needed for them to return as a fully prepared applicant. When I'm honest and forthright, most understand, albeit, are simutaneouly disappointed. Regards, Barry

Hi Victoria: The best reason for evaluating students is to simply measure to what degree the student learned. There are many ways of going about this, but to me, that's what it comes down to. Regards, Barry

Hi Robby: Choosing media is extremly important, and time and effort needs to be allocated for good planning. Mixing media choices helps keep the students attentions, provides variety, allows students to use different parts of their brain to learn, and it's just more interesting. A very important consideration is engaging or involving students (discussions, demonstrations, presentations, anything that directs them to learn on their own with the teacher simply facilitating). They'll retain information better and ultimately perform better as students and workers. Regards, Barry

Hi Yolanda: Styudents really like like field trips. Many don't always have a clear picture of their chosen profession, and this activity can really inspire students to see what they're being trained for. Many times, this can be a very strong motivating factor that carries on into the classroom. Regards, Barry

Hi Yolanda: Pretesting offers teacheres several benefits, not least among them is the abilty for the instructor to tailor their planning lessons around the strengths (or weaker areas)and put more emphasis there. Regards, Barry

Hi Kirk: Yes, very important. I think we all have our uniques ways we can provide inerest in the course. For instance, my way vs. your way of showing enthusiasm about a particular topic may be different. But we are both bring more to the class through the enthusiastic delivery. Also, as teachers, I think we can all be courteous, patient, tolearant, and supportive. When we're approachable like that, it makes for a more enjoyable learning experience. Regards, Barry

Hi Kirk: Sure, like a trip that's planned well, vs. just head out and see what happens, eh? Keeping students informed about the daily lesson, materials they'll need, what you hope to accomplish, are important techniques. Another is periodically letting students know "where we're at in the lesson". It would seem if they're paying attent, they'd know. But I find students like hearing a brief catch up on here's where we've bee, here's where we're at, and here's where we still need to head for. Regards, Basrry

Hi David: I agree we can all be an outstanding version of ouselves. Your version and my version of motivation or enthusiasm may differ, but it's nthe trait that makes the difference, not so much the specfic way the teacher goes about it. I think when students sense their teacher is being honest and sincere, are genuine in their delivery, and teach their material well with passion, enthusiasm, and patience, they will get a positive response from their students, and from that, better student outcomes. Regards, Barry