Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Tanya: Hopefully this can happen for most of us, quite an important responsibility. Usually, our past training, education, work experience, and skills are what get us hired. Therefore, our goal should be, at least in part, sharing all we have and have learned, then our students can take that further down the road. We can only consider ourselves teachers if students learn from us. Boy, it takes time, effort, and patience! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Tanya: You've identified one of the biggest benefits to the teacher by being preapred - it saves precious time. Time that could be used better for students instruction, grading, advising, preparing - whatever. Students appreciate preapared teacher, as it conveys both the confidence and competence the teacher posseses. And having a smooth running class creates a lesser stress learning environment for all. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Lisa: Many schools have policies against awarding extra credit and many instructors are also strongly opposed to it as well. It is a very controversial topic. I agree in principle that if a subject, topic, or assignment is required, it should be part of the regualr curriculum. Just like in the workplace. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Eric: Great message. Too many rely on technology and presentation aids such as PPT, as if by magic, methods used for years before PPT are no longer useful. Involving senses helps learning, and finding creative ways to involve the students will nearly always achieve better results then sitting and listening. How about the student do the PPT and teach the class - that'd be creative and I'll guarantee you the student would retain needed information! Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Hi Eric: "Not sitting" wow, such a powerful two words. It is the key to engagement and participation, keeping attention and focus, and achieving results. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Rochelle: Planning out a course ahead of time is sometimes a guess about how much emphasis to give, time and resources needed, and which are essential and which are nice to know information. A pretest helps the teacher determine where their students are performing, and assist if adjustsments are needed to make the class more meaningful based on the pretesting results. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Rochelle: Keeping a tally sheet is a good idea, as it does help the student keep track of their individual performance. I would say that frequent sharing of grades (comparing in your case) is important because our persoanl connection with the student gets strenghtened, and we can relate more normally. Also, it gives a chance to encourage, giving support and offer care and/or demonstrate comfort or concern, and give advice to improve results. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Hi Gloria: Hey, I've done that too. My version when the class as a whole has performed poorly is to have the class retake the exact test, the second time with notes, books, drawings - any resource except each other. Obvioulsy the scores skyrocket, and for the effort, I added a small percentage owing to the work they completed in a open book style assignment. I justify this as using the test as an instructional instrument, not just an assessment instrument. I'm not sure how wothwhile this technique is and I'm not promoting it. I'm merely sharing I've done something… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Hi Lisa: The line between our self perception and the "reality" of how we project is often blurred. Take the knowledgeable teacher who really knows his stuff, but feels he's a poor public speaker and so becomes timid whenever he has to talk about a subject so familiar to him. I think we all have weaker areas that could be improved on. All I can say about that is we should strive to both identify where we could improve, and set about working to make those weaker areas stronger. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Kevin: I agree that excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm are all dymamic learning environments, and they're contagious too. When the teacher presents an environments that's very upbeat and lively, that catches on, and I think students would prefer sitting in a class where that is the norm, and because of it, they contribute to that "upward flow" of interest, attention, and participation. I don't think this has to an artificial thing either. All of us have the capacity to be ourselves while displaying genuine honesty, care and compassion, and natural in our delivery, especially if that tends to be upbeat. I'll… >>>