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 Julie, I teach in the same type of setting. I have a "blah" classroom so I put my students into groups and have them draw key components in cartoon style on flip chart paper (I have a big bag of wide tipped colored markers). I post these around the room (they have an adhesive on the back) so I can refer to them through out the class. I take the papers down and save them until the next class. I use these papers until we have covered the topic. Then we make new ones and use them. This way… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Jared, You make a very good point. Another benefit of your strategy is that in the work place it will in many cases be peers that evaluate the a person's work. Knowing how to give and receive critiques is an important work skill. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Application of New Knowledge

Hi Laura, Variety is a key ingredient in learning. You are using variety to keep students engaged in the learning process. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Ana, Good point about how students can use cheerleaders at times. Knowing an instructor cares about their success can be a great motivator for students to keep putting for the effort and trying to complete the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Larry, Good point about the feeling that comes from students "getting" it. These are the "ah-ha" moments that keeps us instructors coming back to the classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Steve, I think you will be very pleased with the results you get with this approach. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Steve, I like to do the assigning of students to groups. At the beginning of the course I spend time getting to know my students so I can assign them to groups that will be balanced in terms of abilities and experience. Then when I put them into groups I know that each group will be able to accomplish the assigned work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi David, I commend you in your effort to bridge the gap between the working students and those that are preparing to enter the field. As you know this can create a big gap between students and this can cause issues in the learning process. By showing each student they have equal status in the class and the opportunity to contribute and learn you will be showing them how a professional operates. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi David, Good points all. These methods are great ways to get students involved in the discussion which leads to greater content retention and application as you mention. They also feel more involved in the learning process this way. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Al, Don't have an answer to the situation you describe, though I experience it every time I start a new class. The sad part is that I teach some doctoral level courses and find that some of my students are lacking in basic writing and reading skills. There need to be an increased emphasis on the basic skills of written and oral communication as students are moving through the middle and high school levels. Probably not going to happen so we have to set up tutorial opportunities for students to acquire such skills as adults. Gary

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