Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi Thomas: Yes, we can be good (or poor) role models as demonstrated by our actions each day. By being consistent, by the end of the course, the students will have a framework from which to build on for future classes or work settings. Organized reflects planning, and students will notice when that has not occurred. Preparation reflects time and effort, and students will notice right away when the teacher has prepared well for their class - and appreciate it. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Patricia: I don't think anyone expects pretesting to be done all the time or for every class. It's a tool, and we don't use every tool on every job - nor should we do pretesting for every class. Brief pretesting can be done in three situations: * At the beginning of a class to see where your students are at. * Prior to a test to see if the students have mastered key concepts. * As a comparison between student groups, teacher groups, or clinical groups to determine to what degree similar scoring will occur. At any rate, it… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Hi Patricia: I've found the publisher's slides to be weak, even marginal. They provide plain looking slides and tend to simply summarize the information from the text. I think creating our own slides can be more colorful, informative, and interesting, and therefore, students will pay attention and tend to retain more of the essential content. Discussion, engaging students, group study, class presenationtions, - these kinds of thinks create better information retention. When students are participating, they are going to learn more and retain more. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Hi Thomas: Delivery is important and having an effective delivery style is essential. I think certain topics may require us to adjust how our prestaion is delievered, and I think being natural, genuine, and honest will always be an appropriate deliverty method. This tends to come off as smooth, with a air of authority and competency. There is something to be said about the importance of consistency, and students can become uncomfortable if too many versions of their teacher appear. Regrads, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Kevin: Yeah, we really have to be aggressive in our approach to being prepared. I think we're all hired because of our expertise, gained from education, training, and experience. From that we have to take the curriculum and have to make it come alive, which can only be accomplished if we know what we're talking about. Our students need to see us as the experts, which will occur with good organization and preparation. The opposite opinion is likely when we haven't done all we can to prepare. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Debra: Yeah, it's like being in different conversations. Some you feel real good about - smooth, comfortable, engaging, balanced sharing, respect for the others opinion, etc. Others you may feel didn't go so well - didn't seem interested, couldn't understand my point, disagreeable, unfriendly, etc. Same thing with classes, some go real well, others not so much so. What made the difference? Having a record of sorts can help shed light on something that previously worked and you want to recall that. There is just a lot of benefit to recording thoughts, ideas, or notes to yourself. The method you… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Hi Patricia: I agree that whenever student are engaged or able to participate in their own learning, they will retain more, and the knowledge gained will be more memorable. Customizing your classes may not be possible to the fullest, but opportunities such as you suggest (discussion, group study, class presentations Q and A, etc. are good ways to develop this way of teaching. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Joyce: Really, no two teacher are identical. We all have our uniquenes's. Delivery includes media choices, resources, environment, and of course solid course content. Personality can and should be modified to suit the occassion, but I think consistency is better tolerated by students. When I say consistency, I mean projecting courtesy and respect, genuine enthusiasm and excitement about the topic, support and reinforcement to the students, and patience and caring - to the degree the student feels the teacher cares about their succsess in the class. In this environment, most students will sense the teacher is interested which will help… >>>

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Joyce: Good way of expressing it. Teachers often have unrealistic expectations too. I think some may assume because a student has completed a certain class or collection of classes, they're fully prepared to jump in feet first. Often, that's not the case. Pretesting can help a teacher dcide where the weaker areas are and where the emphasis should be for a particular cohort, Also, I don't think pretesting is needed all the time and for every class. It's a tool, and we use our tools only for the "projects" they're needed for. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Hi Joyce: Boy, you're preaching to the choir here. Of course, we have to have objective ways of measuring learning, but as we agree, it's the learning that is the focus, not the grade. The student probably doesn't think that, but I reason what good are points (especially extra credit points) if the student doesn't learn the required material? Regards, Barry