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

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Kevin, Good idea to help students understand why they are in the course. For many students the courses are a matter of exploring career options so if they know why they are taking a specific course they have a better idea of how their career is going to develop. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Lyn, Good way to show the students how the course is going to operate plus how they will be graded. By using examples you are reducing their concerns about what it takes to be successful in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Andrew, This method helps the students to know your expectations as well as what the requirements are for the course. This helps them to get focused on the course and look forward to what is going to transpire in the coming sessions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Tamara, I agree with you. Sharing career experiences gives students examples of what they will face in the field but also lets them know you have had experience and possess the expertise to their instructor. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Leslie, Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success in your efforts. You are right on with your strategy for offering variety in your classes. Thank you for the kind words about the course they are appreciated. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Regina, Yes, they will. They need that variety to keep their interest. The review and discussion really helps them with their retention of content as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Monique, Excellent point. The soft or career skills are as important as the content skills. If the students don't know how to get along with others, dress and show up on time they are not going to be successful in their careers. We need to introduce and reintroduce them to these skills often throughout their educational sequence. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Regina, Since the students are excited about getting ready to enter the work world they like to hear stories about events and situations their instructors have experienced. These types of stories always catch and hold the attention of the students. Good point also about needing to keep the class on course and not letting it stray. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Jonathon, A quick Google search will give you a number of sites where you can get so quick and easy to use learning preference assessments. A way to get a general idea of the learning styles among your students is to ask them questions using the different learning style categories. As "How many students prefer to read directions and information on how to assemble a toy?" (Reading preference) "How many students like to have someone explain how to assemble a toy to them?" (Auditory preference) "How many students like to just start in putting together a toy and looking… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Lora, I'm not quite sure about your question. If you could expand on this question a little more then I will try to answer your question and provide some strategies. Thanks. Gary

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