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

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Willie, Thank you for the comments about the role the syllabus plays in instructional planning. Your comments make perfect in relation to student centered learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Willie, You make a number of very good points. The one point I would like to draw out for reinforcement for other instructors is the one about having a well developed grading rubric. As you know this will save you so much grief later on when questions come up about your fairness or consistency in grading. By having the rubric and providing it in the syllabus you will be in a much better place to defend your evaluation of the questioning students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi John, This is so important to keep the students moving forward in their learning and staying engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Jerry, Even though you are teaching in a college environment you can set up your mode of operation to simulate the work setting. This means you hold the students to deadlines, high standards and a level of personal commitment that is needed for career success. Something I use a lot are case studies and problem solving situation. I can't set up my classroom to be exactly like the work setting but I can conduct the classroom in much the same way as the field will operate. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Heather, Well said. This is so important for teaching success. If we don't sell it our students won't buy it and that means they probably will leave us. Plus, think it is great when we get a chance to teach others about our field and get paid for it besides. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Sasha, Thank you for sharing this great information. You have hit upon all of the needed areas for a comprehensive approach to teaching. This information will be of great value to other instructors. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Marcos, Good point. We, as instructors need to remember that we are the teachers and that we cannot be buddies with our students. We can earn their respect and develop rapport with them but that is the extent of our relationship. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Eric, So many instructors miss this point. They are multi-tasking when they should be listening and focused on the student. None of us like it when it is done to us so we need to make sure we are zeroed in on our student and what he/she is saying. This is how respect is developed as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi James, This is a great strategy. By cuing the students through listening and type of music you play you are setting the stage for the upcoming class. I know your students really appreciate you setting up the class this way. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Marcos, I use this technique all the time. With the volume of material and names we need to remember we need to use all of the strategies we can to retain this essential material. Thanks for sharing it with us. Gary

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