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.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Tom, I like the way you use the syllabus and make it a part of the course. Make sure to refer to the syllabus after several class meetings. Have them pull the syllabus out and follow along as you refer to a section within it. This way you are sending a very clear signal about how valuable you think the syllabus is to the course so they will refer to it through out the course and you won't have to answer so many questions related to the basics of the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Linsey, Thank you for sharing your perspective on using a grading rubric. I recommend that instructors use a rubric for the very reasons you outlined. Rubrics reduce the complaints and help to increase the understanding of why points were awarded. A win win for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Hi David, This is a good point. The social/emotional aspects of being in class are very important to the retention of students. They need to see themselves in the class and that the class is helping them to make progress toward their career goals. If these items are in place then the student satisfaction level will be much higher. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Wendy, Many instructors feel the same way. There is so much to do with all the classes, organization, etc.. The strategy is to focus on one course and get it where you want it to be. Get everything laid out for it and then move to the next course because if you try to do everything at once nothing is going to get done. This approach is much like the old question--"How do you eat an elephant?" Answer--"One bite at a time." This is the way to approach instructional planning. Pick the most critical task and get it done… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Rich, Appreciate the kind words. I know you are going to be even more effective with the instructional flow of shorter lectures and then hands on activities and exercises. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Rhonda, Yes, it is important that you can be flexible with your instructional plan based upon the needs of your students. This helps you to be able to target the learning needs of your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Felicia, Good way to start the class off. You are getting a picture of what brought them to enroll. I am curious--what are the most common reasons given for enrolling in cosmetology? Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Blog

Seeing Through Students' Eyes

An additional way to prepare for starting a new class is to do a walk through the classroom and/or laboratory. In making this walk try to imagaine how the students will see your instructional setting when they first enter. The learning environment is an important part of the total delivery process so you need to see it as students will see it.

Is the room clean, organized and inviting? Are the seats, chairs, tables set up in a friendly flow pattern? Can the students see the class setting in one glance? The educational setting should not have peeling paint, debris… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Joelouie, I like to use a grading rubric as well. The rubric gives the students more information about how the final grade was reached for their project or assignment. In using the rubric have you found that there are less students complaints as a result since they can see where the points were earned? Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Charles, Many instructors have the same problems as you with names. The fact that you can remember each student and something about him/her is a good start. You can visit with each student about something in their lives or background while reinforcing in your mind their names. This way you will get the name burned in your mind while creating rapport with the students in the process. Gary

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