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

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Ida, Right you are. The human factor in teaching is so important. We need to keep that in mind each time we enter the classroom. The development of respect and rapport is critical if we are going to keep our students engaged and focused on learning. Gary

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Susan, This is making it "real" for students. You were able by drawing upon the human resources you had in class create interest not only from them but the other students as well. This is what good teaching is all about. Keep up the good work. Gary

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi Ryan, These "ah-ha" moments are what keeps us coming back to the classroom time after time. We are making a difference in the lives of our students and impacting their futures. We need to remember that when we work with our students each day. Gary

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Deb, Great to have someone like him in our backgrounds so we can draw upon the examples people like him gave us as we develop our own skills as educators. Thanks for sharing this example with us. Gary

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Vicki, I agree. The teaching of the "soft skills" needed for career success is very important. Students need to know that if they are late, absent or argue with fellow workers they are not going to be successful no matter how well they can do the job. So by blending skill/knowledge development with soft skills you are helping to create a well balanced student. Gary

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Sharon, This is a good idea because it helps to reduce confusion and many questions. I use a grading rubric for every assignment as well. This way the students know where the points can be earned and how they were earned as a result of the rubric. This way their questions if there are any are very targeted and as a result beneficial to the students. Gary

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Mark, This is a great professional development accountability plan. This way you can measure just how much progress you have made and when it was made. Great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us. Gary

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Roger, Great advice for beginning instructors. This is so true. You have to be true to yourself and your personality. You can develop as a professional and increase your skills as a presenter but you need to be honest about who you are and how you are going to interact with students. Gary

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Scott, I like the way you have laid out your professional development plan. Your have input coming from a number of different sources which will give you a wide range of resources upon which you can expand your teaching expertise. Gary

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Craig, Thank you for sharing the story of this student that didn't think she could. Her husband's response is a common one that many of us would give as well. I had several classes that were considered to be "weeder" classes so the professor was intent on getting rid of us. When I received a 98 out of a 100 on the first test, I rushed in to his office to make sure he had the right student number (mine) next to the score because he had developed in me and most other students the idea we could not… >>>

End of Content