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

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi James, Well said in working to keep the material fresh. By doing so we instructors get to be creative and are challenged to keep improving our courses. For students an excited and motivated instructor really helps to keep them engaged in the learning process and acquiring new skills and knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi James, Now you have me curious about learning more about the neural networks field. The idea of a computer being able to repair itself as needed is very interesting to me. I'm still amazed at the human brain and how it operates. For a 3 lb computer it does an amazing job doesn't it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi James, You method of helping students to learn large amounts of content in your course is a good one. As you mention episodic memory is powerful because students can see the connection between content and application. By blending the tactile, visual and application methods the content becomes a part of their working memory which makes it much easier the student to retrieve and use the information. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructional Style

Hi David, You make a good point about the composition of different classes. Not sure how this happens but does. As a result change is a constant with teaching. I am like you in my teaching in that I make changes in my course each time I teach it because I want to make it better but also to challenge me to bring in new strategies for more effective learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Marc, Good points about the how and when to provide feedback to students. I like the way you provide both realistic and constructive feedback so you can get student growth through your feedback effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Micheal, These are great strategies to share with your students. If the students will listen to you and follow your advice about how to take notes and stay focused they will be successful. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Kimberly, The development of rapport with students will really help you to open up avenues of communication with your students. If they feel comfortable with and trust you as an instructor they will be more open in discussions about the support they need. Knowing the door is always open to them is a great comfort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Michael, You make a number of good points about how instructors should introduce content and encourage learning. The point about the need to challenge the thought process of students to get them to contribute to the discussion in the classroom needs to be highlighted. This is very important for individual and group learning to take place. The more of this that goes on the more opportunities there are for personal growth. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Marion, Understanding is critical in dealing with student situations. Life happens and as a result it takes its' toll on student participation. The key is to identify the needed support so the student can continue forward progress. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Peter, This is true. The students want to know the specifics of grading so they know where their points are going to come from. With the rubric you are answering their concerns by having it all laid out for them. Gary

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