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

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Kimberly, You will learn some strategies for this as time goes by. I do know that just by chatting with the students each day they will start to trust and respect you. This leads to rapport and with rapport comes the opening up of the students. They start to feel that you really care about them and their success. When that happens you will see your instructor student relationships start to expand. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi George, This also helps with establishing rapport with the students. They get a few minutes to get settled into the class for that day and can chat with you and each other. This helps set the stage for what is going to happen that day. Good way to start the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Stephen, This is a great approach. It gives the students a sense of common learning through input from an expert but also from their own self discovery of learning. You are helping to draw together the essential learning components for the students while they develop the retention of content that they need for success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Mary, Relaxed and comfortable students are much easier to teach than those that are too hot/cold or uncomfortable. I like the use of semi-circle seating as well. That way I never have a back row. Each student is within easy eye contact with both me and other students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Rtee, I understand where you are coming from with the challenges of teaching evening students. I teach from 4 until 10 and have to work hard at providing the kinds of activities and class flow that is needed to keep the students engaged in learning. You have outlined a very good strategy for keeping your students moving forward in their learning in spite of having worked all day. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi April, Each career setting is unique when it comes to instruction and learning. As instructors we have to adapt to the setting in which we are teaching career skills. In your case it is the the kitchen setting with all the components that make up a commercial learning environment. Well done in terms of making this setting work for you. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Aaron, You are right about a great instructor being able to teach an empty room. We need to try and eliminate as many distractions as we can plus create a comfortable setting for our students so they can concentrate on what is going on within the class. As instructors we have to work hard at being prepared and ready to teach the diverse students we have in our classes and that is what teaching is all about. The impact we have on their lives should be the guidepost from which we operate. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi John, Good strategies for making the best of a difficult teaching situation. Movement really helps to keep the students engaged as the sound is different as you move around and when students look up there is a fraction of a second when the brain disengages and then reengages for concentration once again. Your pacing is good as well because you let your students change up their learning through the breaks and discussions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Jana, I teach from 4 until 10. I know what you are talking about in terms of trying to keep my "tired" students focused on our class. Your use of activities and humor are great. These are the same methods I use to get me and my students through the evening. I like teaching this time of day since I get to be creative in my approach because of the challenges the time of day and fatigue presents. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Mary, You make a good point about sharing "personal" parts of your life with students. You really don't have to since you will be sharing your professional history with them. A key to developing rapport with students is to show them that you care about their success in your course. Help them to see their future and they will respect you for your dedication to them. If you want to share something personal on a more distant level you can chat a few minutes at the beginning of class about something you did over the weekend that involved --eating… >>>

End of Content