Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

ROBIN, It's great when an instructor feels secure about where they shine, and what areas may need some work. Going into a classroom with confidence conveys that a competent instructor is present, and a reliable and effective lesson is in the offing. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Ann, I like this particular learning assignment - I call mine "In the News". The assignment is given to all, is not graded per se, but is accounted for in the professional development portion of the component grading. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Ann, It's great to be able to spend more time on more difficult or new information, and among various methods, a pretest can help assess what areas the class has a good understanding of at the outset. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

Ann, I like YouTube as well. All students are visual learners to some degree. Viewing a procedure or situation in action can potentially convey as much valuable information as what reading from the textbook could provide. I try to keep the segments extremely short because I've found students can quickly zone out after a few minutes, even if the material is interesting. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using a teaching journal

Ann, Great! Journals benefit instructors different ways at different times. In some ways it's like taking a daily inventory of events and thoughts. Reviewing later may help one situation now and another at a later time. It's always a great reflecting tool for instructors. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Ann, Yes, students can get inspired while participating in field trips. I think one factor is students begin to see themselves as workers in that setting, and realize they will soon be involved in the same or a similar segment of that work setting. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Kathleen, Ah, and it's so satisfying to be able to share accomplishments and achievement with students. But even with less than wonderful performance data, we can still convey we care, are sincere about the students success, and demonstrate we are willing to help them make improvements. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Kathleen, I've done learning style assessments, and where possible, have applied it in my student-centered approaches to facilitating classes. Students also like to learn or reaffirm their dominant traits, and I encourage them to apply their special attributes to applications in classroom assignments. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Kathleen, I think this is a wonderful sentiment, as a skill or trade learned and applied can have an overarching power to create happiness and stability, and create a hope for a brighter future. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Kathleen, I have learned that students want and need direction, clarity, and directness in their classs, because much of that is missing in their private lives. We help them in part by our instruction, but also by teaching and showing by example the benefit of being prepared, ready for the day, and basking in the results of effective achievement. Barry Westling