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

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Nicole, Good point. The first class meeting really is a "job interview" between you and the students. Based upon the initial reactions between everyone the stage will be set for the upcoming class. Everyone show want to do well in the "interview". Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Daniel, This is essential. The students need to be shown the future that can be theirs if they will work hard and apply themselves. This will help them to aspire for higher levels of competence and career development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Chris, Outcomes is where it is at for career college students. Our culture is tied to grades as evidence of learning and success so this presents a challenge when we try to get students to focus on outcomes in relation to skill development and competency acquirement. The students must have the competencies if they are going to be successful upon leaving school. If they can't do the work they will not keep their employment. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Daniel, What are some ways you can demonstrate for your students how work leads to success? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Daniel, Well said. Meeting student learning needs is what we are about as teachers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Christopher, You have given a very good explanation of how to focus on the diversity of intelligences within your class and then plan for the learning needs within the class. The key is flexibility just as you said. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Nicole, Right you are. It is so much easier to build upon that good first impression rather than spend time trying to fix a poor first impression. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Mark, It is so important that we instructors never forget the fact that we are there to change lives and give students a vision for the future. Good comments concerning the need to stay fresh so we can fulfill goal. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Justin, Not really sure whether it is or not. I teach mostly students that are between the ages of 18-25 and I haven't had the issue you mentioned. Something you might do is to have them give their names and then have them share what their career goals are or what brought them to enroll in the area that they are studying. Since they are younger they may feel like they don't have enough depth of background to talk about themselves compared with some of the older students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Laura, This is an excellent way of keeping your students engaged and your instruction strong. Through the "reading" of your students and then offering variety to the delivery you can make sure that you are getting the content across while helping them to make the needed applications. Gary

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