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 Matthew, Using competency based instruction is a concrete way of showing students their progress. It also shows them when they have not met the competency for the day. This should keep them targeted on their learning each time the class meets. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Michelle, This is a form of customized instruction since you are offering assistance to your students as they work through their own projects. Also, I commend you for your willingness to provide the support you are. This is what I try to do in my classes and I find that it is extremely rewarding to both myself and the students. In addition, I get some very high quality work as a result of my being willing to review their work prior to the final submission. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Michelle, I understand where you are coming from with your overload and stress. I am currently in the same situation with large classes without administrative support. How I customize my courses in this situation is to offer a wide variety of delivery methods throughout the course. These methods target the different learning preferences of the students so they can feel comfortable working in the different areas as we move through the course. If I stick with only one method I will be able to meet the learning needs of only a few students. Thus, I am customizing instruction but… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ty, Like your sense of humor. You are right the joke is a "groaner" but students like that kind of thing to get a class started. I have found that they not only like these kind of things they quickly grow to expect them. They start to bring things like jokes or cartoons in to share with the class. This lets me know they are enjoying it plus are thinking about their class even when it is not in session. This helps in bridging between school and their outside lives. Keep up the good work. Suggestion don't quite your… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi James, Thank you for the great suggestions. All of these learning strategies will help to keep the students engaged and interested in the course, not to mention they will have some fun doing it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Katrina, Right you are about the seating arrangements and the impact they can have on the dynamics of the class. I use the horseshoe seating arrangement in my classes and this way every student is on the front row and this really draws them into the discussions, even the shy ones. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ty, I enjoy hearing from teachers that really get "into" their teaching. I am one of those as well. You ask a good question about how to involve students that don't get as involved in the class as do you. Your small group work is good. Another idea would have these students do assignments that they select based their interest. They can report out on these projects so they can see how they are sharing knowledge with other students. For students not a the same level I would suggest some time of baseline assessment of their knowledge so you… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Fran, Right you are in terms of needing to repeat and rephrase course expectations for students. When we hear something we do three things with the information, delete because it we feel it doesn't apply to us right now, distort it because we want to translate the information into a form we are comfortable with, or personalize it because it has meaning and application to our lives. By sharing the information repeatedly the students will start to make the information personal and then they will settle into completing the the assignments or activities. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Katrina, Good point about how learning preferences can change depending on the situation or time of day. Since I teach from 4 until 10 pm I am very much aware of how I need to keep my students moving and involved with tactile activities if I am going to them engaged throughout the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Katrina, Way to go with showing your students the standard by which you want them to be judged. The examples you share give them a starting point so they don't have to wonder what does she want but can get to work doing the assignment. Gary

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