Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Hi James: Sometimes I feel like we need eyes in the back of our heads in order to truely see our weaker areas. To change, we have to first understand what the weaker areas are, the be willing to adapt and change for the better. That can be a hard thing to do. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Hi Alan: You've stated that nicely. Can't really add to it. Of course, the challenge is to try to achieve that with each and every student. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Luis: Yes, and I believe students can tell when an instructor is unprepared. They may feel dissapointed, disengaged, or disgruntled having a teacher essentially waste some or all of their instructional time. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Roy: A prepared teacher will be the best tool a student can ever have. Conversely, the opposite is just as true. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Hi Roy: The thing we don't want to hear from students is "my time was wasted" or "I didn't learn anything". This can happen if adequate back up plans are not in place. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Donna: Yes. I've found students don't usually mind taking pretests because they're usually not graded. They do help the teacher plan, and give the student a "preview of coming attractions!". Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Hi Roy: Time and experience will help. You can mentor him on the mechanics and basics, and he'll gradually learn more successful ways to manage his classes. His success because of your efforts should inspire you. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Hi Donna: Yeah, I agree, there's nothing quite like a filed trip or guest speaker to inspire, motivate, and illuminate a perspective of the real world the students are being prepared for. Quite valuable and beneficial activity. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting evaluation methods

Hi Gregg: Overtime, I suspect you will get a better feel about timing - how long classes or certain topics will take, and how much emphasis you can give. Also, your evaluation systems will gradualing become refined and aligned with your course objectives, as that is the trure measure of how thoroughly a student learned. Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Hi Luis: Good example of a little different way a pretest can used, and the benefit to other students. Regards, Barry