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

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Aaron, I commend you on your ability to cope with circumstance beyond your control while still being effective as an instructor. Your rotational pattern is a good one. By changing the pace and having activities you are keeping the students engaged and focused on the reason they are there, learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi John, Good point. There is an old saying "if you are talking you are not learning, but if you are listening you are learning". This is critical for instructors to remember and practice with their students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi George, Exactly right. Good first impressions really help to move the class forward. It is hard, though not impossible to dig out of a bad first impression, but why have to do it. By being prepared, professional and prompt you will make the positive first impression you are seeking and the students will progress from there. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Kathy, Good plan for balancing the backgrounds and experiences of your students to make sure they are being supported as they need to be. This leads to the development of respect for each other and for what they are studying. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi George, Good idea to create your own professional development plan. This way you can see how you are progressing and concentrate on areas in which you want to develop expertise. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Gail, This also helps the students to get settled into the course since they are encountering a friendly pleasant instructor. It helps to build their confidence that they can be successful in the coming weeks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Joseph, I wish you the best in your new adventure. Talk to other teachers and think about instructors you have had and you will come up with a number of activities you can use that will help you to make your course engaging. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Ajani, Translate the logical topic into tactile activities. Cover the content and then have the students do activities where they use the content in a tactile way. It may sound impossible but with the creativity of students you will be surprised at how they will do it and then share with the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Jagrup, Consistency and fairness are musts for instructors. By practicing these two things the students will see that the instructor is supportive and cares about their success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Mark, Thank you for the reminder about the use of field specific language before a solid foundation has been built. Like the acquisition of new knowledge, new terms have to be understood and internalized by the learner. By taking the time to build the vocabulary the application will come when the students are out in the field. Gary

End of Content