Barry Westling

Jamie, This sounds like a wonderful experience. Acitivities like these are a "value added" component to the program and contribute to the professional growth and comprehensive perspective your profession provides to graduates. Barry Westling

Ronald, I believe students appreciate the time we instructors take to personally share grade and class perfomance information. It helps establish rapport, trust, and respect. Barry Westling

Thomas, Many would agree with you. Some courses it might be acceptable. For me, I choose not to offer it. Barry Westling

James, Bonus points are good because it can show the instructor something that the student has learned but has not been asked for on an assessment. Barry Westling

Kanidrus , Opinions vary, and extra credit is a bit controversial. I generally don't give EC. but understand some classes it may an acceptable mechanism. Barry Westling

James, Absolutely! Thinking through a problem or situation is a very critical skill that with practice, can help students in their school, employment, and even in life situations. Any thing we can do to promote thinking (labs, exercises, games, discussions) are good practice techniques. Barry Westling

James, Preparation does convey a tone about readiness, and students are very observant when an instructor appears for class disorganized, rushed, or so harrased that students would not want to interrupt, which is not a good environment for learning. Barry Westling

Kanidrus , Great. Pretesting can be helpful, especially to the instructor for planning purposes, making adjustments in emphasis or degree of detail required. Barry Westling

Kanidrus , A good example is an athelete preparing for a competition. Knowing his/her areas where they are strong still requires focus. Also, ares they know they're weaker may require extra attention. With understanding, the athelete can use their personal self knowledge to emerge a winner. So it is with instructors who work to ready themselves for their classes based on an understanding of personal awareness. Barry Westling

Ronald, Sometimes admissions folks and educators are at odds, both with goals to meet and challenges to overcome. It would be great to have the cream of the crop (at least possess basic writing, grammar, and math skills) enrolled in our classes. Unfortunately that's not always the case. It can certainly make for creative actions by the instructor. Barry Westling