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

Matching Content to Need

Hi Laura, Good job in doing a side by side so you can be consistent in your course offerings. This way you can do more in-depth planning of activities and discussions without the fear of leaving something out. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Kay, Each instructor has to find their comfort level in starting a class. If you don't want to open the class on a light note don't. The content of the module is intended to be a guide only. I have found over the years that humor is an excellent way to settle students down and get them focused on the course content. If humor is not a part of your delivery that is fine as well. Just find something that will work for you and go with it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Kay, Well said concerning the learning preferences. By offering a variety of deliveries you are going to work in the different preferences at different times throughout the course. Teaching the psychology course you know well the impact of not only learning preferences but multiple intelligences on the cognitive processing of students. You have a clear understanding of how this all works and I know your students are benefiting from your planning efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Erik, Field trips really make it real for students. They see it as it really is and this makes for better understanding of what you have been teaching them in the classroom and lab. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi George, Way to go in making it "real" for your students. They get to see the actual work in actual settings. That is as good as it gets for them because they will be there shortly. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi George, You are correct about we instructors needing to remain fresh and excited about our field. What do you do to keep you excitement up as you prepare to teach a course again? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi George, Great example of providing instructional support to someone that needs it. You took the time to show this person that she was valued and that she had much to offer. You then played to her strengths while shoring up the areas she needed help with. Great job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi George, This is an excellent example of career diversity. You are providing a valuable service to your students by helping them to see other opportunities that exist. The chances for everyone to end up in Hollywood is very small but to work in the film industry in other settings and venues is much greater. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Gail, It is great you get to teach such a course because you can build a solid foundation for your students with the discussions you have with them. Student bonding is important as they collectively work toward creating a future for themselves. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Gail, Good plan. The more you can learn about the cognitive processing of learners the more accurately you will be able to plan your instruction. Blending content and activities is an excellent way of helping students to hear, see, remember new content. This then leads to application and that is what we are trying to do with our students. Gary

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