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.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi LE, I call this "connecting the dots" between the classes that students are taking and the future they can create for themselves. If the can see the connection then they will get more fired up and engaged in the learning process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Deb, You are right about the syllabus. It is a valuable document for both the students and yourself. By having a well developed syllabus you are giving your students the expectations, polices and requirements of the course. This reduces frustration and concern on the part of students as it is laid clearly for them. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi LE, This is why I like working in the area of multiple intelligences as well. Once I know how a person processes information and where his/her intelligence are centered (generally they have three dominate intelligences). I have spent the last 25 years researching how to identify and assess multiple intelligences. In doing my research I have created an assessment that enables me to identify the three dominate intelligences of individuals so I then know how to plan my instructional delivery to support those intelligences as well as communicate more effectively with those individuals. A very interesting area of human… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi LE, You make a very good point about making connections for students. In acquiring information students need to have connections between the content and applications in their lives. This greatly enhances the memory and retention of students. I find that helping students with these connections is a fun part of teaching because when the connections are made "aha" moments occur. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Gladine, You have made a number of excellent points concerning the role instructors play in the development of students. We need to remember that we are always on stage even walking down the hall. Our behavior and modeling will carry over for our students into their professional lives and help to make the successful if we provide the right modeling for them to follow. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Gina, Good example of how an instructor can be both an instructor and mentor. By showing the students that you are there for them and will support them in their efforts you are letting them know they can depend on you to help them move through the course sequence and become the chefs they want to be if they will put forth the effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Linda, By letting your students share their life experiences you are helping them to "invest" in the class by sharing a bit of their lives with others. It also allows them to build some confidence as they start to see that they have life experiences that will enable them to be successful in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Patricia, You make a number of good points but your last sentence says it all for instructors. We have to be credible if we are going to have any success as instructors. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Torri, Great to hear. I love it when instructors are excited about their teaching and the opportunities to impact the lives of students. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Megan, Your fist day survey is a good idea in several ways. One students can share how they best learn or prefer to receive course content. The other key point is for those students that haven't thought about how they learn it causes them to pause and think about how they do learn and how they can be effective as students. It is a win win for everyone. Gary

End of Content