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

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Chan, This is what developing rapport is all about. Creating a relationship with the students. You are doing that with the introduction methods you are using. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Lisa, I agree with you about not using the syllabus as a teaching tool boggling your and mine mind. Why go to all the effort of creating the syllabus if you aren't going to use it? I like you use my syllabus as a reference point for what we are doing and will be doing throughout the course. Also I have found that if I don't use the syllabus my students start to dismiss other handouts I give them since they figure that if the syllabus isn't important nor or the other handouts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Lisa, Thank you for this personal example of how you worked through the difficult times and setting to realize your goal of the Ed.S. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Lisa, A great list of how to set up a learning environment that is support of diverse learning. By offering a "buffet" type of instruction you enable students to learn within their learning preference. This also lets you be creative in your planning and delivery. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Chanel, Good comments about REFOCUSing. I think we all have known or taught with instructors that have "retired" on the job they just have 15 more years to work. These kind of instructors really bug me because they and their students are miserable. Teaching is to important to take lightly plus it is so rewarding when you have "aha" moments with students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Andrea, You are right about using different styles when delivery instruction. This serves two purposes, meets the different needs of students and helps to keep the instructor excited about the topic. With this combination it is a win win for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ruth, Student rapport is important for all instructors to establish but adult learners that have been out of school for a period of time really need it to feel comfortable with the new setting they are in. With rapport they know they have a person that cares about their success and that that person will be of help to them. This is why being an instructor is such a great opportunity to help and shape lives. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ruth, Having an understanding of the base knowledge your students have really helps with planning. Your comments about the customizing your instruction from that information are really good because you are student centered in your approach and flexible in your instruction. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ruth, Good ideas all. Each of these expanded ideas will help you to reach your students in different ways and will help to keep them engaged and focused. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Mary Jo, Right you are about trying to reduce to a minimum any misunderstandings about the course requirements, expectations or polices. This way the questions asked by students will be to further expand their understanding of what is going to occur in the course. It helps to get them settled in much quicker with good explanations. Gary

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