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

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Shirley, Good points all but the one I really identified with was your last one. Documentation reduces questions and lets the students know exactly what is expected of them for the entire course. No surprises--no mysteries. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Patrice, Good points about knowing as much as you can about the students. Students today like to have instruction personalized and customized, additional knowledge about them and their learning preferences helps to do that. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Jayson, The use or non-use of electronic and communication devices in classrooms is a constant challenge for educators. Just as sure as you make a policy about cell phones for example there is a request for an exception. This is why we need to talk with each other to see what others are doing in relation to these situations. This gives some additional input when we make our own decisions about their use. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Marion, What are strategies that you are working on to become more of a facilitator in your classroom? If you have any questions about development in this area please let me know. Will be glad to help out. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Elizabeth, Right you are. By your dress and language you are building a bridge between the classroom and the "real world" for your students. This is so important for their career success as you well know. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Leslie, Personalized instruction really helps to keep the students engaged. It is based upon the call letters of the radio station WIIFM. (What's In It For Me). You make a good point in relation to helping them to see the value added benefits that result from their efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Leslie, You make a key point. There has to be consistency by all those that have contact with students. This way the students know that from the front door to to graduation date everyone in the college is interested in and supportive of their success. With dedicated and caring instructors the students will have success and be able to achieve the career vision that they hold in their minds. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ben, The key is to look at the comments from students within context. Often students evaluate the instructor at the end of the course when there is all the pressure of completing assignments and passing the final. This is the worse time to get accurate feedback I believe. A way to get accurate and helpful feedback is to solicit input a points along the way. Give your students 3x5 cards and have them give feedback on a just completed project or assignment. They don't have to put their names on the cards so they will be more candid and… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ben, Take the responses you get from your students and try to expand on their comments. Often times they will respond to a question with a respond that lets you say "that is a great answer because it brings up the point about .........." and you then can add any additional information you think the students need to have on that subject. This helps the student that gave the response to have more confidence and it lets you share the information the students need to have but in an alternative form rather than just straight lecture. In sense it… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Dee Dee, Right you are about the learning environment. It should be set up to the point that the students look forward to the upcoming class because the environment is supportive and comfortable for them. Gary

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