Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Eugene, Our duty to our students requires us to manage both ours and their time. Many students express frustration when they observe a disorganized instructional environment, and it can make them feel like their time is being wasted. That's not a good sentiment to convey! Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Informing students of status in course

Gordon, Yeah, it's like driving to an unfamiliar destination without a map and hoping that arrival will occur on time and at the correct location. Feedback provides guidance, direction, understanding, and also offers a great opportunity to support and encourage students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

John, It's possible that some forms of extra credit might be legitimate ways to measure true learning. In my profession (medicine), there is a body of knowledge that must be demonstrated, with little room for stretching grades a bit. But if a system works for someone, I'm sure the students appreciate the gesture. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Christina, Yeah, I'm with you. Although I would like to see improved grades, I really want students to earn those better grades (rather than issuing easier "point-generating" assignments). My goal is to measure learning, and usually, EC skews that measurement. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Dona, Sometimes (not always), I find an area that students really know the material pretty well, or what I expect them to know is lacking. This advantage pays off when I tweak my curriculum to better accommodate my students. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Christina, Right. What I sometimes do (as an encouragement) is to give the same pretest I used at the beginning of the term, and give it again near the end of the term. There is usually remarkable progress shown, and it gives students a big psychological "lift". Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

John, This is perfect, and the very point of using pretesting in the first place. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting instructional media

John, Yes, variety can make the difference between students enduring their lessons and becoming fully engaged in them. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Goal of educating students

Zbigniew, Yes, certainly, skills and knowledge. I like to add critical thinking, professionalism, and communication. Individuals with these traits are usually the ones that retain employment and remain in their jobs longer. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Making field trips and guest speakers a part of instruction

Christina, Rarely are students dissapointed by having the routine interrupted by a good guest speaker or a planned field trip. The ability to ask questions, view aspects of the profession not available in the classroom setting, or view themselves as workers is a memorable experience, usually long lasting, sometimes, throughout ones career. Barry Westling