Barry Westling

Janelle, Yes. The key is to get to know our students, strengths, weaker areas, needs, and ways they respond. Much like a family, each their own special needs and prefered ways they learn. The closer we come to meeting students where they are, the more likely we are going to reach them with our desired information and course material. Barry Westling

Sarah, I say like a journey, students need feedback to know how close to their destination they have come. Giving suggestions if students are open to it is also helpful. Surprisingly, some students who could benefit from "helpful advice" sometimes seem to avoid hearing it or using it if given. Barry Westling

Sarah, For me, anything that serves the students learning needs is valuable, not filler. I think of filler as wasted time spent on needless activity that students do not benefit from. Everything you've listed is great fodder for learning. Barry Westling

Sarah, One of the things I've observed that students really like is stories from situations at the workplace. I can imagine when these are shared in an upbeat, lively learning environment by an enthusiastic instructor, that would really be interesting and engaging for the students. Impassioned individuals are a hard act to follow. Barry Westling

Sarah, Great perspective and summary regarding student-centered instruction. We are really facilitators of learning. Barry Westling

Eurico, Right. Both student and instructor benefit from discussing class performance. Also, the instructor can share ideas and suggestions if there is enough time before the grading period ends. Barry Westling

Eurico, For me, a good back-up plan consists of providing important and needed material when my regular plan has been interrupted for whatever reason. Students know when their instructor is just filling time. I know I would not want to attend class and not increase my knowledge to some degree. So a good back up plan helps assure students will have meaningful material to leran and understand every day they attend school. Barry Westling

Ken, This sounds great. In some circles, this reviewing technique is called "chunking" and another is "checking for understanding". In all of these, the common link is the continuous review of key information before moving on to new material. Barry Westling

Eurico, I think besides knowledge and skills, other postive attributes include behavior attitude, professionalism, even dress and grooming. Also, when we teach critical thinking, we help the student both in work and in their personal lives. Barry Westling

Eurico, I feel that without adequate preparation, it is unlikely instructors can be effective educators. They have have the experience but without a plan and the readied resources to execute it, students will not be served. Barry Westling