Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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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Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Jean, I use something similar to help me get feedback from my students throughout the course. I give them 3X5 cards and have them give me their feedback on the just completed assignment, project or activity. They don't sign the cards so they can be candid. I get great feedback and I have never to date received any feedback that was inappropriate. The students are honest in how they feel and that lets me get a read on the course as well as improve on the assignment,etc. next time. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Barbara, Good point. We need to take this feedback into consideration as we plan for our next courses. This way we get better at what we do and our students receive the benefit of our improvement. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Rondae, Good point about the need for instructors to have back up plans for everything. It seems like every class session involves the need for the use of Plan B because no matter how hard you work on Plan A it becomes Plan B or the back up plan. This can be due to equipment failure, student responses or a combination of the above. Through planning an instructor can be ready for most everything and not be taken out of his/her game when something comes up. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Maribeth, We are seeing this more and more of this in our classrooms. The students want to be spoon fed and then pass a test. Many of them don't want to put forth the effort to think and be creative in problem solving. We need to work hard to show them that the really successful graduates are going to be those that can problem solve and work with diverse groups. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Shelli, Right you are about establishing a professional atmosphere in the classroom and through your behavior, dress and interaction. All of these components are needed for an instructor to be the professional role model for the students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Myra, You make a key point about the need for good planning and that is it shows the students that you care about their success. By putting forth the effort to plan a proper course sequence you are telling them that you are excited about your field and are looking forward to sharing content with them. This helps to set a positive tone for the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Marie, You are right about the need to have the course mapped out and well planned. This reduces much concern and pressure on the instructor while giving the students opportunities to really understand how the course is going to flow. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Tisha, You make a good point about how clear goals and objectives can benefit both the students and the instructor. They give accountability and structure to what is going on in the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Barbara, You are right. There has to be structure to instruction or much of the effectiveness of it will be lost. I like your example because nothing is worse than setting through a class and finding out you never did hear "the fat lady sing". Somehow in the confusion of poor planning the key points of the class were lost. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Cynthia, Way to sell the content to your students. It is exciting when you can get them excited through examples, stories and humor. Keep up the good work. Gary

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