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

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Caroline, Good point. The key is that the students realize you care about their success and their future. Once they know that their respect for you will increase and you can start the development of rapport which is an essential connection between teacher and students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Ernest, The key to motivation may be complex as you have indicated but if we can reduce down to the basics meaning the students see application and relevance to their lives they will become engaged in the learning process. What we have to do is to continue to provide those opportunities to our students and let them see the applications that are possible. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Christopher, Leadership is leadership just as you have said. As educational leaders we need to practice the elements of leadership at all levels. This includes getting to know our students and developing rapport with them so we can help them achieve their career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ernest, Correct you are, but in today's culture the ambiance is a essential part of what we are about in instruction. We need to do all that we can to make the learning environment comfortable and supportive so the questions being asked can be reflected upon in the same manner as Socrates. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Maggie, I like the way you explained how your professional development plan is laid out. It is clear and comprehensive for others to see and for you to follow. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi John, Great way to start a class. You bridge the gap from their previous classes and create a vision for the future in the current class. I am sure the challenge of the quiz helps get them thinking about how to integrate what they have learned with what they will learn. Good job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi John, You make a number of very good points that other instructors can benefit from. You are right on about needing to be open and honest with your students so they can see you as a dedicated professional educator that respects them and is striving to promote their success in achieving their career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi John, Thank you for sharing this information. You have a global view of how you can increase your instructional skills even more. One of the things you mentioned, student feedback is critical if we ask them for feedback in way that enables us to really "hear" what they are saying so that we can incorporate their suggestions into our next course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Nicole, You are right about your approach building the connection between what they are studying and real life. They will start to see how the knowledge and skills they are developing will transfer to other settings and help the achieve their career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Lou, Hopefully your students hear your message clearly since you have walked the very same halls as they are. They need to see the relevancy of what you are sharing with them because they are going to be using that information very shortly. Gary

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