Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Roger: Creative, non-traditional classroom learning is beneficial, partly because it's outside the classroom, and partly because of what the students see and visualize for themselves. This "potential reality" can be a great motivator. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Louis: Often, students will emulate their instructors, especially when they feel they've learned much from them. Therefore, an enthusiastic teacher who brings passion and interest about a topic into the discussion, and relates it to the students where they become excited about learning, that personality will create better student outcomes in my opinion. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Hi Louis: This sounds like an active tool for you! I like your collecting the "career stories" that can added to classes at some point as needed. I've often desired " I wish I wrote down all the things I've heard from students over the years, I could write a book". Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Lisa: Weaker areas will always exist to some degree. To me, the key to erasing their significance is first, understanding they exist, and two, a willingness to seek improvement. For some either or both can very difficult and result in no change. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Lisa: True, the students effot plays the biggest part. I also agree that that as teachers, we can create a learning environment and experience that improves the ability of the student to learn. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Lisa: Students wnat an opportunity for grades that are even with their classmates. EC tends to distort that opportunity. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using senses in learning

Hi Chad: Multiple sense integrated into the the teaching will alsways help improve retention of information and facilitate learning. No one learns by one sense only. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reasons for evaluating students

Hi Deborah: I like that you recognize the possibility that a teacher could be in error. As long as there is a fair and reasonable method for all to obtain good grades if they do as instructed I think our purpose to teach will be achieved. Evaluations are merely a measurement of that teaching, and the student learning. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi David: Great! Your "learn by example" method tells students more about expectatations than many lessons about it could do. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Julie: Your institution is like many that have proactively developed policies addressing EC. Grade inflation and fairness are the primary reasons most often cited. Your techniques decribed is more like a bonus, which to me is a bit different than EC. Regards, Barry