Barry Westling

Jeff, Good point. And somehow if we can impart a desire for lifelong learning, our students will probably never be uninformed or out of work. Certainly, a more satisfying life will be a result. Barry Westling

Dave, Yes, and much of what we do depends on the trust, confidence and respect students have for their instructor. Coming to class unprepared (except in the rarest instances) will not contribute to these student sentiments. Barry Westling

Robin, Right! It's always a good idea to have more materials and planned activities ready than there will time for. I do this by making sure the "need-to-know" material will be covered by one method or another. Barry Westling

Vickie, Great. You're right, one dimension that exists with student-centered activities is a special synergy between the instructor and the student. Barry Westling

Jennifer, Sure, we can be role models even when we are just doing our job. Barry Westling

Thomas, This is probably true in most cases. I don't give extra points, but I do encourage extra credit assignments if a student wants to work on a project to demonstrate their comprehension of a specific topic. They get recognition, but nothing that improves their grade. Barry Westling

Jeff, Yeah, I caught this participant-entered topic post a number of years ago, but short of deleting the entire group of connected threads, it must remain. Good eye! Barry Westling

Jeff, Getting students engaged in civic, community or fraternal organizations also teaches the value and importance of giving back and applying their education for worthwhile causes, separate from their own employment and career-oriented goals. Barry Westling

Wayne, These are good sentiments. We all want our students to do their best. Yet, when a few students are overtly not trying their best and want to skate by, that's difficult for the hardworking students to take. Over the years, I've become more strict about EC, and pretty much, don't give it. But I do make a few adjustments, like dropping the lowest quiz scores, and a bonus essay on a mid-term or final exam that is not required but counts for as much correct information that is provided. Barry Westling

Wayne, Great. I'll give a pretest and then immediately allow each one to grade another's paper. This allows me to clarify and introduce new information, sort of a previews of coming attractions. Barry Westling