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About me

I am an Education Advisor/Consultant for MaxKnowledge. I write courses that assist in the professional development of career college instructors. These courses range in content from the introductory level to advanced instructional development. I started my teaching career as an instructional technology teacher on the high school level, completed graduate school and then moved into higher education. I spent many years in the area of teacher training at the University of Nebraska. While at the University of Nebraska I stared working with career college instructors to improve their instructional delivery skills. As a result of these experiences I have been a consultant to career colleges throughout the United States and a number of foreign countries.

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Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Lubna, Simple ground rules like this sets the tone for the class. Yes, the students are preparing to enter their chosen career area so they need to reflect the skills it takes to be successful in that career. These soft skills are critical for student success. Gary

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Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Melanie, Many of our students are involved in family care and working to the extent that they are stretched very thin. By knowing this you can help them work through the different situations that occur that might lead them to quitting school. By being aware you are there to support them as needed. Gary

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Jessica, You hit upon a key point with your use of examples. If we, as instructors can help our students to visualize themselves in that career setting through the examples and stories then the engagement will increase. This really helps to hook them into the instructional process because they see their future in these examples. Gary

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Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Amy, This is where the development of respect and rapport starts. Once you have created a connection with them you are able to influence them in relation to their effort in the course and how their effort will impact their future career options. Gary

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Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Thadeus, What is the most valuable feedback you have received from your students when you have used this method with your classes? Gary

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Cindy, Thank you for these great comments about how to transfer your skills from on-site to online. Good teaching is good teaching no matter the setting. You have the global approach to see how you can be effective by adapting what you have used in way that makes your instruction effective in this new setting. This is the sign of a instructional delivery expert. Keep up the good work. Gary

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Yvette, It is great when you have someone that you can depend on to help you with your professional growth and development. With a mentor you know you are not going it alone so when questions come up you have a source to go to. Gary

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Student Motivation Factors

Hi Sunny, You make a good point about how many career college students are unique in their reasons for enrolling in school. They have set goals and want to move their career forward so enroll. The key is to keep them motivated as you mention when life starts to wear them down. Gary

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Motivating Learners

Hi Jacqueline, I'm not surprised by the attitudes of students about writing resumes but I am amazed. A resume is a window through which a perspective employee can view a student. Without a well prepared resume employment chances are greatly reduced. Sorry, I'm preaching to the choir on this one. Keep up your efforts. I would bring some graduates back into the class and have them tell the students how important a resume is to their future career. Maybe this will get their attention. Gary

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Valuing Student Opinions

Hi Stephanie, Respect earned leads to rapport developed. Students that respect their instructor are going to be engaged and focused on the course. Rapport creates a setting for personal and professional development on the part of the students and the instructor. Gary

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