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 Daniel, I think we need to observe other instructors in light of our own teaching style. Then we can select those strategies that other instructors are using that enhance our own style. This will enable us to get better within our personalities and abilities. We can use the "buffet" method of observation. Meaning we can "select" those methods that we observe and will benefit our own style. This will make us better at what we do while increasing the effectiveness of our delivery. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Karen, Excellent example of alternative learning preferences. Thank you for sharing this with us. What may appear to be can in reality be something quite different, in this case an effective learner. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi George, Good point about thinking outside of the box. This is the fun part of being an instructor. We get to be creative and innovative which keeps us from becoming bored with what we do. Being fresh and excited helps to keep our students engaged in the learning process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi David, What a great and comfortable way to start a class. Your approach should do much to reduce the fears of your students while letting them get settled into the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Philip, Right you are. The dynamics of learning are changing at a fast pace. For example traditional institutions of higher learning are being challenged because they perscribe how many contact hours a student has to have in a course. They don't measure if the student is learning or the outcomes they just say a student has to have 54 contact hours with an instructor. With online learning and other formats outcomes are the measure of success. What is the return on investment (ROI) for the student? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Kimberly, You are right on with your instructional planning. You are offering "buffet" learning since you are offering a variety of learning opportunities so the students can select different ways of learning about concepts and content. I teach 3 hour plus classes myself and I have to work hard at providing variety to and for my students in order to keep them engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Patricia, Good plan. This lets the students see how the transfer of knowledge is important to their career success. They get to see the value of what they are learning in a dramatic way. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Earl, Making it real to the students is critical. You are doing this through your approach. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Kenneth, With your approach you are helping the students to see the big picture of why they are enrolled in the course and what they are going to have to do to pass it. By covering your the requirements, expectations and policies of the course you are giving your students a foundation from which they can operate as successful students. This way they have the opportunity to see you in the roles of model, manager and motivator. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Mary, Excellent approach. You are doing all of the right things for the brains of the students. The flow of your class enables them to concentrate, integrate and then apply their newly acquired knowledge. Gary

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