Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Barbara, Most classes have a variety of student learning experiences. Prior knowledge can only assist instructors sharpen their focus on where the strengths and needs that their students possess. Pretesting can help learn something about prior knowledge. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Kimberly, In my experience, students have always benefited from completing a pretest at the beginning of a course. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Stephanie, Great examples. Good back up plans can definitely be supplementary course material that could just as easily be substituted for the planned course work. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Sue, Being approachable is such an important attribute. It includes elements of patience, tolerance, and supportive encouragement. In classes I've had, that's the kind of instructor I've enjoyed and it makes all the difference in terms of being engaged in the class. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Stephanie, This activity contributes to keeping students alert and focused. Too many slides, too much information on a slide, or too long of a sustained period viewing slides begins to lose students. I think variety in the delivery of course information makes for more interesting classes, usually with better outcomes, too. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Kimberly, That's great when students reach this level. At a minimum, skills and knowledge commensurate with the employers expectations for new graduates would also be appropriate (specifically for career school graduates). Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Sue, A printed calendar is great. Similarly, listing on the white board the daily objectives, topics, activities, and perhaps resources needed also shows there has been preparation, and the instructor has a structured plan for the day. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Being a student-centered instructor

Stephanie, Yes, I agree a key aspect is awareness of individual needs, however that is discerned (pretesting, one on one chatting, instructor conference, etc). More information about individual strengths and needs generally assists an instructor in customing instruction for a best fit scenario in the classroom. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Kimberly, Students need and appreciate when they see their instructor has taken time and effort to get their resources together and a thorough game plan. Better outcomes are more likely when this is the case. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Barbara, As engaging as we can make our classroom and lab settings, there is nothing more realistic than actually visiting a live, current, work setting example of some segment of the profession the student is preparing for. Students get inspired, and their level of motivation nearly always improves, translating to better performance in the classroom. Barry Westling