Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Shawn, So true. Approachability, patience, willingness to help, and just old fashioned kindness can create (or in the absence of) break a good learning environment. It's really simple, in all our different diversities, just conveying we care can do so much. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Understanding yourself as an instructor

Craig, Triangulation from multiple sources usually helps identify key areas that may be outstanding or need improvement, especially when the same or similar comments or ratings appear from the different evaluators. One important step is to try to be objective, look for the truth in any negative comments, and be willing to work to make changes. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Using pretests as planning tools

Bronzel, For sure, the more we know about a students prior learning the better we can plan, prepare, and make the most progress towards assisting our students with understanding important class material. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Reengaging off-task students

Eric, Sometimes it only takes putting a student in the spotlight for a moment to get them refocused, such as by asking directed questions. Most students will get the message if this action is repeated a few times. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Eric, Students appreciate it when clear and organized instructions are given, and this occurs with planning by the instructor. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Awarding extra credit

Diana, I like that perspective.... what would an employer do? However, work and school really are different, because the expectations are a bit different. I shy away from extra credit too because I want to measure student learning as accurately as possible, and too much "flex" will skew the accuracy. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Developing instructional backup plans

Diana, Right! I've discovered great exercises and activities I facilitated "on the fly" - many that were so successful they became integrated into my regular lesson plans. Reading from the text, students writing on the white board , stories, - these are some activities that work most every time. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Role of instructor personality in delivery selection

Diana, From a students perspective, PPT is really limited. Where it works well is with graphics, such as charts, tables, figures, photo's, diagrams, and related illustrations. There are really better ways for students to read text. That said, PPT IS useful, as long as we remember it's just a tool (among many), and the focus should not be on the tool, but what can be accomplished. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Organized and prepared to teach

Diana, In honor of Maya Angelou, I'll quote her by saying "it's not what we say, or what we do, but how we make others feel". Nonetheless, a prepared instructor sets the tone and class goes much smoother and puts students at ease, because the instructor is at ease. Barry Westling

Barry Westling

Discussion Comment

Selecting sufficient course content

James, Great. I'm sure your students appreciate using materials that originate from their live instructor. Barry Westling