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

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi John-Howard, Your last statement is a key one. We have to do what we have to do in what ever way we can to be effective and efficient in our delivery of content and learning opportunities. This is the sign of a confident instructor that is responsive to student needs. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Antonio, I think the renewing and refreshing of activities help to keep the interest of instructors. When instructors are interested and excited about what they are teaching then the students get excited as well. This turns teaching into a win win situation for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Lynda, You are right about class participation helping you to get a "reading" on your students. You can start to see the individual and group dynamics within the class and how strong a foundation the students have coming into the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Enoch, What are some of the strategies that you have found help students to apply the knowledge which they have acquired? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Jaroslaw, Good points. So many students come into my class without either the ability to goal-set or manage time. We are doing them a service if we help them to develop skill in these two areas. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Sonia, This is why introductions are so important. Even though the introductions are a lot of fun and generate some laughs along the way there are many things that can be learned from them. This helps you to form an idea of the composition of the class you are about to teach. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Vicki, Right you are and well said. The students need to see the journey they are going to take during the course and what their destination will be. This is why the syllabus needs to be accurate and complete. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Christine, Good point. First impressions plus what has been relayed to the current class by previous students all help to form their image of you and how the class is going to go. This is why it is so important to be prepared and offer an exciting first class meeting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi John, Well said. A great way to get the course off to a good start and to get everyone settled into the course. This is how respect development is started and will grow from there. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for sharing this example. The key phrase in your comments is "that you would figure out a way for him to pass no matter what." I tell my students that I have already graduated that is why I have the big desk in the classroom. So since I have graduated it is not my problem in terms of figuring out how they can pass if they don't attend and do the work. What I will do is be supportive and provide them with the opportunities to develop the skills and acquire the knowledge to be successful. It… >>>

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