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

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Estella, You make a good point about the need for preparation and the results that come from it. You last sentence captures the key reason for preparation. Instructors have to be seen by students as having something to contribute and if they are seen as such class management is going to be a big issue. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Marion, Great way to keep improving as an educator. With the use of the sticky notes you are making sure that you are getting down your reactions when they occur. That way when your reflect back on how to change something you can see what needs to be done in context. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Glen, Relevancy is critical for student see and understand. Your approach gives them that essential connection between content and application. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Mary, This is why instructors also serve as mentors and listeners. By serving in both roles the students can and will share additional information that can be used to customize and support the learning needs of the students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Bryan, What has been some of the most helpful suggestions that other instructors have made to you? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Ben, I commend you for your skill as a "quick" reader of students. As you mention this is hard when you have students for just three weeks. This means you have to get the students settled into the course fast so they can see and respond to the content that is coming their way. Sounds like you are doing a good job of meeting their individual learning preferences. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Barbara, Great strategies. You are making it "real" for your students. The assignment of the business proposal is a way to help them see the application of English skills in different settings. Plus, they gain experience in writing proposals. These are skills they will use many times in their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Ejike, By knowing the research that is available about the brain we instructors then can develop instructional strategies that will appeal to the different processing pathways that learners use. This will lead to more effective learning and content retention. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Lyn, You made some very good points about the need for clear and concise information concerning course expectations. By doing so you reduce the number of logistical questions about the course and increase the questions about substance and content. This really helps to focus the students in on what is going to occur in the upcoming course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Carlos, Good motivation strategy. I like your method of setting the standards high and helping the students to reach those standards. This is what career training is all about. Gary

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