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

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Hi Michael, Good point about how you help the students to see relevancy in taking a speech course and applying it to their career choice. They need to be able to communicate clearly is they are going to be successful as chefs and the strategies you are using help them to recognize that. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Steven, You have a good approach to your comprehensive introduction of the course and yourself. This method keeps the focus on what is important for students to know about the course's expectations, requirements and polices. The students know how to get settled into the course and prepare themselves for the upcoming sessions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Norma, With these strategies I know you are going to have more engaged and focused students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Tommy, Good point. I to like have these students in my class. They are excellent resources that we all can benefit from and it helps them to get settled into course as well. I currently have a student that was the CEO of a major corporation. He got laid off due to the economy and is looking to enter a new career field. He has been an excellent contributor to the class and the younger students really look to him for advice and counsel. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Ken, You are right about how difficult stepping into a class after it has gotten underway really is. The dynamics of the class have gelled and the "new" instructor is coming in without knowing how things "really" work. As you well know it takes some effort and time to put your own stamp on the class and to move it the direction you want it to go. Sounds like things are going well for you and that you have found your position as the class leader. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Sammie, Right you are. The students need to see fair, consistent and professional models in their educational setting. This way they can transfer this modeling to their own lives and success as supervisors in their field. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ana, Great example of dedicated professionals wanting to provide the best for their students. I commend you for your efforts because it is a same for someone to go through a training program where they gain the knowledge but don't see the real world context. Once the enter the field the find that the real world is not like the classroom so they don't want to stay in the field. Happens more than it should. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Hi Bonnie, As social interaction is a critical part of the learning process putting the students into different groups throughout the course gives them a chance to work with different individuals. This also prepares them for working with others when they are in the work place. We know this but sometimes students think that they are going to get to choose their fellow workers and this isn't the case. The social challenge of work has to be dealt with just as much as the actual work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Bonnie, What are some strategies you use to select the way you are going to deliver your instruction? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Lisa, This is a great aid you are providing your for your students. Time management is a problem for most adult students as they have so many things going on in their lives. Giving them structure and a way to create order in their time planning helps them to be successful. Gary

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