Susan Polick

Hi Ron - Thanks for your post to the forum. Although I do not teach any computer applications type classes, I do run into some of the same issues when we are running orientations that require students to login to the network and learn to check email etc. It does get a bit frustrating even doing it occasionally! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Andre- Thanks for your very well written post to the forum! Yes, unless students understand the "why" of concepts they are really unable to use those concepts in other arenas. It is that higher order of understanding that makes the knowledge worthwhile. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Ashley - I have never heard of the "Exit Ticket" but think it's another great example of a CAT. Thanks for sharing! Susan

Wow Ashley- Thanks for a personal testimonial to the value of recognizing the learning styles of our students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Carla - Thanks for your post to the forum. As you mention, if we know the abilities of our students we can better plan our lessons to accomodate them. Where it gets tricky is when you have a class with really diverse ability levels! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Melissa- You put it very well- not only does teaching to the learning styles keep our students engaged, it also keeps us from doing the same thing over and over. Even if that is easier, it sure is boring! Best wishes- Susan

Hi Bobbe- Excellent testing plan! I agree- more is better as we try to ascertain how well our students are doing. Susan

Hi Melissa- Thanks for your post to the forum. Just curious- are your students primarily adult or traditional age? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Christina - Having that informal evaluation of your students does indeed give you some very useful information on how to best teach those students. Susan

Hi Christina- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, I agree completely - it is important that we convey our expectations to our students. They must be made aware of what we expect them to know and we must assess them on that knowledge. Our expectations must also match the competencies that we have identified for the course and so of course we have to teach to those competencies. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan