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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

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Jane, I use learning groups where I have the fast learners mixed in with the other students. I assign group projects and this way each student can contribute in their own unique way. This allows the fast learners to bring to the group their knowledge and then share it with the other students as the project is completed. Gary

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Instructors as Role Models

Hi Lisa, So true. Keep that great professional attitude and modeling of professional dress. This is very important to the students as they move through their program. Gary

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Donald, You have a number of really good strategies you are using with your students to bring variety to the classroom. Your approach is enabling your students to use a number of different learning preferences in acquiring the needed knowledge. Gary

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Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Jackie, Your approach is a good one because you are meeting them where they are in their field and then helping them to move to the next level. This really helps with motivation and engagement. Gary

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Developing Student Rapport

Hi Troy, Right you are. When an instructor says "I don't know but I will have the answer for you when we meet again." a connection and promise is being made with the students. They know the instructor is going to work at finding the answer and then bring that answer to them. This really impresses them because the see an instructor that cares that they know the answers and is willing to work at finding them. Gary

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Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Joan, This is a very good approach because it gives you the information you need to plan your instructional delivery and pace. I use baseline assessments with my students and have had the same results as you have. I feel I am able to target the needs of the students much more effectively. Gary

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Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Lisa, You make a good point about adult learners and their knowing what their learning preferences are. The key is to vary the presentation format within the lecture to keep them engaged. You can lecture for 15-20 minutes and then have a discussion session, due a case study, role play, etc. and then go back to the lecture. This way you change the pace of the class and this helps them to use different learning preferences. Gary

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Student Feedback

Hi Randall, Thanks for sharing this story with us. This is an example of the impact we have on the lives of our students. You know they they value your teaching by virtue of this former student calling you for advice. Keep up the good work. Gary

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Erin, I commend you for your adaptation of your instructional delivery to meet the needs of your students in relation to the content of your course. The use of case studies really helps the student to understand how they can apply what they have just learned. This leads to higher content retention and student interest. Gary

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Ellory, Good way to get the class off to an exciting start. You are showing them that you care about your field and their success in the field. This attitude sets the tone for the entire course. Gary

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