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

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Perry, By giving your students a well prepared and comprehensive syllabus you are doing much to reduce their fears about what it takes to be successful in the course and helps them to get settled down. Then they can concentrate on the requirements and see how they can accomplish what is needed for course success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Daniel, Good point, thanks for sharing it with us. By using your approach you are able to customize instruction for the entire class because you are looking at each student in light of his/her needs and learning preferences. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Daniel, This is so true. I am teaching back to back session of three hours each of the same course. I have to work hard to be fresh in my approach not only because I have taught the course for many years but also because each class session is new to that group of students. I look for variety in delivery which really helps in keeping the class exciting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Donna, Welcome to teaching. With all of the experience both as a professional and as facilitator you are going to do great as an instructor. You know how to work with people in diverse settings and how to customize your teaching to meet their needs. I wish you the best as you step in the classroom on November 8th. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Jerry, Your forum comments reflect how an instructor should approach the planning and delivery of instructional content. By following your advice a new instructor will be well prepared to have teaching and student success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi John, The challenges of integrating the learners into the educational setting in an online situation are there but with some planning it is possible to overcome them just as you have done. With your student first planning your students are getting good instruction along with the personal touch. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Richard, This is what instructional improvement is all about. By getting feedback and assessing where your students are you are able to more accurately target the learning needs of your students. Good strategy, keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Karen, The more information about and feedback from your students that you can acquire benefits your instructional planning and delivery. This way each time you teach the course you will be able to more accurately target the learning needs of your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Hi Jeannine, This is a good way to keep students engaged and continuing to ask questions and contribute to the course without derailing the discussion. Your approach is kind but directive in terms of letting them know they have your respect and you will listen but as you say it is their opinion. This strategy is sometimes difficult for new instructors to grasp and refine so the more we can share these kinds of strategies with them the better informed they will be about how to use it. Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Jeannine, This has been my experience as well. This is so important if the students are going to get settled into the course and stick with it until completion. Gary

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