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.

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Patrick, I really support your idea of a professional development plan. All of us instructors need to strive to expand our abilities and increase our expertise. By doing so everyone benefits with increased performance and satisfaction. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Theresa, Good point. Sad but it does happen. There is a lot of work to still be done in this area. Since most of my work is career development for persons with disabilities I understand what you are talking about. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Teresa, What are strategies that you have used to help you with understanding learner characteristics more effectively? Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Mark, This "connecting of the dots" for students is very important. They have to see the relevancy and application of what they are studying to their career goals. Once they see that then they can catch fire and get after their classes. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Steven, Having research the assessment of multiple intelligences over the past 25 years I have been able to develop an assessment called Talent Key that identifies the three dominant intelligences for individuals. Currently, the assessment is being used in educational and business settings for managers to understand how their workers process information and how their emotions enter into their work. (Another discussion could be help in the area of emotional intelligence). I have found that once I know the 3 dominant ones I can plan my communication around them and that the individual will be able to decode and… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Craig, It will become easier as you say and before long you will be able to focus in on the different preferences and see how the students receive and decode new information. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Steven, I would agree with that statement based upon my own teaching experience. I like to ask my students "How many stoplights there are between school and their home?" or "How many windows are there in your house?" None of them can answer either question yet they live in the house and drive through the lights each day. They have decoded and recoded this information into their working memory to the point that they have to stop and think, then count up the windows or lights. Yet, when I ask them the name of their second grade teacher the… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Allana, Well said. This is the "aha" moment for both we instructors and our students. This is why we do what we do. We are leaving a legacy when we send a new group of graduates out into the work place knowing they are well prepared to be successful in their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Craig, Welcome to the profession. I know you are going to enjoy being an instructor. You have good ideas about how to make your instruction relevant. This will help to keep the students engaged and focused on why they are in the field. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Bob, Well put. The syllabus can be a very valuable teaching tool if developed and used properly. Many instructors view the syllabus as something they have to write and give to students. They don't see the contributions the syllabus can make to reducing student frustrations and stress. As you say it removes a lot of misunderstanding and gives the students the requirements, expectations and polices of the course. This to me is forward focused in terms of planning and providing direction for and to students. Gary

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