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

Your Instructional Style

Hi Richard, I wish you the best with your new endeavor. Online teaching as you know has many rewards but it does involve new approaches to getting students involved in the course. Look around and talk with other instructors as you develop your online teaching style. This kind of input will be valuable to you as you ramp up for your courses. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Dr. Amy, Thanks for sharing this strategy for course improvement. Another secondary part of this effort is that it also helps to keep instructors fresh in relation to the course. Trying new things and adding content allows instructors to be creative and this in turns keeps their interest up. A bored instructor brings a bored attitude to the class. No body benefits when that happens. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Luke, Your method is a simple and effective part of professional development. I am sure that each time you teach the course it gets better as a result of your willingness to seek input and improvement. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Alicia, You are right about video taping being such a simple but effective way for instructors to see how they are presenting the content and themselves to students. We all need to do this ever so often to keep us fresh and on top of our game. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Laurie, I love hearing these types of success stories. This is what teaching is all about. We are making a difference in the lives of our students and we need to remember that when times get tough in the classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Ellen, I really like your approach to including all of your students into the course format. Each student is unique and as a result wants to be treated as such. As an instructor you can customize the course somewhat to the individual needs of students but you still must adhere to the standards of the field and the course. You are doing a good just of finding that balance. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Brian, These kinds of current topics do help with engaging students into the discussion. Since the course is online these types of discussions are even more important because you want to draw every student into the course and related activities. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Ashley, Good way to inform your students of how the course is going to be operated and what your expectations are. The signing of the syllabus contract helps to ensure that they have at least been exposed to the syllabus even if they haven't read it. This makes them accountable. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Dave, Good way of sharing the expectations, requirements and policies of the course. The additional handouts then help the students to be informed of the current assignments and upcoming time lines. This way they know at all points along the course what is going on. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Gail, Good points about the career selection aspect of career college education. Part of our job is to inform them about choices and how these choices will shape their lives in the future. You have a very clear understanding of how you can do this for your students. Keep up the good work. Gary

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