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

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Darling, This is what being a good instructor is all about. "Seeing the big picture". You are looking at all aspects of the instructional environment and this helps you to make sure you are planning in such a way that you will be meeting the needs of your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ashley, Look at the instructional delivery you are using to teach the content. I teach a general education required course so my students are not very motivated when they walk into the class the first time. They don't see any value to what I am teaching. By using a number of different delivery strategies, learning groups, etc. I am able to get the engaged and focused on what we are doing in the class. Do I get them all-no but I am able to keep the class forward focused and I don't let the negative students take over the… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Larry, Good point about saying and living the "right thing" in relation to learning and career success. We need help students to see how their future is going to be shaped by their abilities, knowledge and communication skills. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Jeffrey, I teach adults from 4 until 10 pm. so I know what you are talking about when you discuss how they are somewhat learning challenged when they come into class at night after working all day. This is why interaction, rapport and support is so important to provide if these students are going to enjoy a high level of success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Rachel, Good to hear the kind words about the course content. When we learn things like how we filter new information it helps us, instructors to know how to better formulate our instructional delivery. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Lisa, This is a good point. The key is to help them reduce extraneous content and identify key and/or essential content. The more skill they develop in this area the more effective they will become. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Tricia, This is what professional development is all about. Thanks for sharing your experience about the seminars and how they were of benefit to you. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Allen, Great to hear about how you have enjoyed teaching over the years. It is a great job because of the impact we are making on the lives of our students and the legacy we are leaving to our field. Enjoy your teaching success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Rachel, You are right about the adults and their filters. This is why I enjoy teaching them because I have to make sure that I am on top of my game each and every class. Not that I should be anything but at the top of my game each class session but when I have younger students the filters aren't set at the same level. Often my younger students will take the content in and want to know what they will be tested on so they can pass the class rather than internalize it for future use. My older… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Jim, Good point and well said. Planning is essential if success is going to be achieved. Without it teaching is going to be very difficult and the course verrrrrrrrry long. Gary

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