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

Understanding learner characteristics...

How does an understanding of learner characteristics help in the instructional planning process?

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Craig, There are a number of sites geared to the secondary level and public 2-4 year colleges. I read these and then translate their information into my own setting for the private career college sector. Good teaching and course improvement is the same where ever you teach. With a little searching you will a host of sites that will be of help to you. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Renee, Your efforts in promoting your own professional development are to be commended. The more you grow the greater your expertise will be and this will result in more effective and efficient learning by your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Tamar, Thank you for sharing your experience. Both examples are good ones. The using of a mentor is great for new teachers so they can get focused on planning their teaching and can bounce ideas off of his/her mentor. This way the mentor can help a new instructor avoid some of the most commonly made new teacher mistakes. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Patricia, What a great addition to the note taking efforts of your students. The expectation notebook has a lot of accountability associated with it. This lets the students in their own words develop ownership of their education. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Marsa, You are providing an excellent service for your adult learners. It is really hard for them to become students again both emotionally and cognitively. By showing them how to organize and sequence their studies you are helping them to get settled into the flow of the course. This will result in higher retention and less frustration. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Janette, Thank you for this perspective on supporting students. The easiest thing to do is fail because right or wrong you can blame your failure on someone else. By listening and then trying to help them to become forward focused you are doing a great service to them and their future. I will look up the 90/10 powerpoint. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Nick, Thanks for both the input and the heads up on the typo. Will get it corrected. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Marion, This is the way to do. The students don't expect us to know all the answers to everything so by being candid and saying we don't know the answers then we are showing ourselves as individuals that are willing to learn and put forth the effort to find answers. Using the students to help find the answers is always a great way to get others involved in gaining new knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Diana, What advice would you give a new instructor in terms of the best way(s) of getting organized? Gary

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