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

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Joelle, Great way to sequence the learning integration process. Once the students have worked through these steps they are going to have the content and applications stored in their memories to the point they can retrieve such content when needed in quick order. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Andrew, Good point about how to get new information stored in the working memories of your students. By making application of newly acquired knowledge the students can find that knowledge easier in their memories when needed out in the workplace. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi All, The learning environment is an essential part of the learning platform. If we can get the environment set to the point that it is supportive and not distracting then we can get the students to focus on the course and what is occurring inside of the environment rather that being upset by the environment due to lighting, temperature, etc.. Thanks for all of your comments about how the environment impacts your own instructional settings. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ethan, I to taught in an inner city school where the smell of danger and fear was everywhere throughout the building. I had great kids but it was a challenge to teach them anything because many of them didn't know if they would make it home that afternoon. We lost a number of our kids to shootings every year. I can appreciate your comments about the setting that you are in currently. It is amazing how much a person can learn when they feel safe and respected for who they are and what they can contribute to the class.… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Jim, I like your approach. The application aspects of what you are teaching is critical and your approach informs and then helps students to apply this new information. This is what makes learning exciting as well as being retained. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Dianna, Good way to keep the students interested throughout a long class session. I teach in 6 hour blocks so I know where you are coming from. It is a challenge to keep the energy up while changing the class pace in order to keep the students engaged and focused during the entire time. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Jane, I am always amazed at students when they are surprised that we instructors are humans to. The fact we have lives outside of the classroom often comes as a shock to them. By sharing a bit about our lives we are doing just what you say in your comments, making ourselves human so they can see us in that light as well. Good point. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi David, You make a very good point about reinforcement. It must be done in such a way that it is informative and supportive to the students. Your example is how many instructors deliver feedback. We do need to help student to correct mistakes but also help them to refine their skills and expand their knowledge about how to be successful in our classes as well as later on in their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Lisa, Timely and constructive feedback is very important to student progress. Your comments can really help to shape the direction that students take in their application of the material you have presented them as well as their transference of this material to their career development. This is a very important part of what we instructors do each time we work with our students. They need and expect feedback that will help them to focus in what they need to improve on. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Dianna, You are right on target with your approach to the class. I teach a required general course as well and my students come into the class with the attitude that they have to take the course to get their state certificates. I work hard to make the course interesting and valuable to them in a way that they can see relevancy and application to what they are learning. I can see you are doing the same. How do you feel about results that you getting with your approach? Do you have any tips for other instructors that are… >>>

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