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

Motivating Learners

Hi Clare, This is a great way of creating a connection between the classroom and the work world. Having taught CAD I agree with you about how much fun it is to do plus exciting. By having your students interact with the Board Members you are helping your students to create a career network that will serve them well over the years. This makes their efforts "real" in terms of their future opportunities by knowing and working with these individuals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Jim, These are only suggestions and not meant to be strictly followed if they don't fit into your schedule or class flow. Take from the list what will work for you and when they will work for you and go from there. The beauty of teaching is that it is very flexible in how you approach your delivery and organization. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Lefteri, Good example of the difference between a teacher and a performer. There has to be a connection between the teacher and the students or the class is going to be a long one for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Sarah, You will quickly see how you can extend such an impression through your communications. Even though you don't meet on-site there are a number of ways you can extend your personality and welcome to your students online. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Laticia, This is a great approach to teaching this subject matter. There are three aspects of instructional delivery. The social impact, meaning how the students have to interact with each other to be successful, cognitive, the use of academic knowledge to be successful, and physical, the use of fine or gross motor skills to complete the assignment. By bringing in the emotional aspect you are expanding the learning from just rote to application and acceptance. These both are powerful learning motivators for students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ari, This is a good point. There are other ways to get to the final solution by students. This shows their maturity and expertise. By being willing to accept these alternative solutions you are showing your students that you are responsive to their creativity. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Edna, Been where you are. It always hurts me when I can't develop the rapport that I want with each student. I do continue to offer respect to the student and hope to earn his/her's as well. At the end of the course I want him/her to realize that I was consistent and fair throughout the course and he/she had the same opportunities as all other students. We can't reach them all even though we we always have that as our goal. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making the Course Relevant

Hi Roger, This is a great way to make it real for the students. What types of real life examples seem to appeal to the students the most? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Silvia, Good way to survey your students and get to know them better. As you say this way you know how to adapt your instructional delivery to meet the learning preferences of your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Vicki, This is a great example of what first impressions are all about. It is amazing at how a home can be perceived this quickly. Seven seconds is a very short span of time but it determines whether a perspective buyer is going to spend anymore serious time looking at the home. As you say this is the same for students. We have to be prepared and ready to make that good impression so the class can move forward. Gary

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