1

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.

Activity

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Susan, Thank you for the kind words about the module. Yes, you are going in the right direction with your approach in working with older students. They have so many life experiences and want to make sure that they are successful in their studies that they have a tremendous amount of content stored in their memories. They are trying to make sure they sort it out and are able to find that content when needed. You are assisting them in their efforts to do so. Keep up the good work. Gary

Discussion Comment

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Hi Erin, I agree with you. This is what "connecting the dots" is all about for students. They need to see application and relevancy in their studies. By showing them both of these things you will be able to keep their focus on course completion. Gary

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Hi Erin, Way to involve all students while keeping the entire class engaged. By drawing out the card you are letting them know you are looking forward to their contribution to the class at that time. Gary

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Robin, How to you go about establishing rapport with your students? Thanks in advance for your response. Gary

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Melissa, The more we can learn about students and their learning preferences the more accurately we can zero in with our instructional strategies. Keep up your efforts to tailor you instruction to their needs. Gary

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Tom, Thank you for your response. It wasn't long at all because you were saying some very important things about how you can reflect the pride of being an instructor while demonstrating that you are a professional and as a result you will conduct yourself as a professional. This is a very important point that instructors need to grasp as they enter the classroom. Gary

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Jackie, Good strategy because everyone, including the instructor can wear down during the semester. By refocusing the students and introducing some varied activities you can recharge them for the second half of the course. Gary

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Hi Cynthia, Good to hear about the positive response you got with your feedback from students. This as you say is critical to instructional improvement. Gary

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Angel, I agree. I have had instructors that did not plan and it made for a very long class every time my class met. They just wondered around the room talking without really saying anything. This approach is not fair to anyone so the more we can plan the more effective the learning will be. Gary

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Patina, Good strategies. Also, these different information sources and media presentations help to capture and hold the attention of the students. This is essential as you know if we are going to keep them engaged. Gary

End of Content