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

Motivation techniques...

Hi Erin, Great way of making your course content "real". This really helps to bridge the gap between school and work. This will make the transition these students will soon be making much easier due to the higher level of self confidence they will have as a result of solving these problems. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Dominic, Good point about the need to refocus based upon the dynamics of the current class of students. Each time you teach a course you need to be aware of how even if the content is the same the stakeholders are different and this dictates the need to refocus as needed. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Leslie, Excellent way to accommodate all of the different dynamics and personalities represented in your classes. Your methods are enabling all of your students to achieve success if they are willing to put forth the effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Ray, Great strategy. Thank you for sharing it. This is a great ice breaker for instructors to use. The gallbladder example is great. No one can say teaching isn't full of surprises. I would have never thought that combination of students would have come together as a group. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Jeff, Well said. Sounds like you have found a very effective way of using technology effectively to reach your students both in class and online. By planning you are reducing the time spent answering logistical questions and more time on content questions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Bianca, One thing that I do is to tie my communication and student responses into point rewards. I share information with them and ask them to answer a question or solve a problem. This greatly increases the responses I get because the students want to get as many points as possible so they get right back with the emails. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Thomas, If I understand the situation correctly then I would suggest the sharing of a "Tree Diagram" with the students. The diagram would show how all of the parts fit together in educational sequence. This way the students can see that when working in several different areas they are adding to their total portfolio. The Tree trunk would be the core competencies and then the branches the different activities and projects they will be working on. This should give them a graphic reminder of how the parts will all come together for them. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi John, Great way to help the students to "connect the dots". Many times in their training they only concentrate on the actual components within their field and miss some of the influencing factors such as economics. This should be a major part of their education since things like this will determine their success later on. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Christian, Nor do I. I think we need to set the bar high on all aspects of social/soft skill development. The success of the students' careers will depend upon them having these skills. Even if they are highly skilled in the kitchen poor social/soft skills will kill their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi David, You are right about the need to model the expectations of the field and the behaviors required for career success. For many students this is new information and they need to observe and learn what it takes to be successful in their field from a skill, social and character standpoint. Gary

End of Content