Barry Westling

Hi Jenny:

Selecting material and presenting it in a visual, audio, and kinesthetic way is generally considered the most efficient method of delivery.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Ryan:

This is a great way to get the students involved in the discussion, definitely a fun way of making the class more robust.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Rod:

One idea when selecting course material and media is to try employ as many teaching styles as we can in order to address as many learning styles as possible. Selecting material and presenting it in a visual, audio, and kinesthetic way is generally considered the most efficient method of delivery.

Regards, Barry

Jodi Schulman

I find that it is important to change things up even during the class period itself. Teaching adults who have conflicting responsibilities is a lot different than teaching children or traditional college students (as I have taught both of these groups as well). We need to hold their interest more. I choose to do a power point for every class to review the material but add to the powerpoint depending on the topic. I teach Communication, English and Critical Thinking and bring in party games, different activities, questions for thought and a lot of discussion to enhance the conversation. I also bring in personal experiences. By changing up the way that we teach, we can hold the students attention better. I even taught writing process analysis papers by having students write a paragraph on how to make a PB&J sandwich, having them exchange papers and make sandwiches for each other (be careful of nut allergies with this activity). This way they can gain the information and apply it during the class period.

Jenny Nordwick

I think that it is extremely important to change the learning styles and mode of delivery. When sitting in a classroom for any length of time, we get tired and can become easily bored. If our instructional delivery is changing and exciting, we are more likely to keep our students engaged and they will take more from our classes.

Constructive criticism is also very important to the students and to the instructor. It allows us as instructors to keep up with the progress of our students and their success, but also lets the students know where their skill levels are and where they need to improve to be successful in their field.

Barry Westling

Hi Barbara:
Change ups are essential to keeping the class fresh, pertinent, and tends to engage students as guaged by more meaningful participation and involvement. That's needed. And it takes on-going, sustained work in the form of thought, planning, effort, and time to make it successful.

Good teachers are willing to put in the needed ingredients to achieve more meaningful outcomes.

Regards, Barry

Barbara Raichle

A great deal of my courses are software applications. I have been teaching for 13 years. Each time I teach a particular course, I change it up. Projects are revamped or discarded; the mode of instruction varies from class to class depending on their learning methods. Especially, when teaching software, most of the textbooks give a step-by-step approach to theory as well as completing practical applications. I encourage critical thinking with the students by having them replicate documents, design something totally on their own, explore all the capabilities. To ensure that they are experiencing real-life classes, they will be prepared to think on their feet and contribute in their employment.

More importantly, I believe, is it is paramount that the instructor constantly critique their performance; get ideas from other instructors; and eliminate any boredom (students and instructor).

ryan hoyme

I can never teach a class the same way, because I get extremely bored. It helps keep the students on their toes and it helps keep me motivated too.