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 Holly, Great professional development plan. You are going to be surprised at how many different teaching tools you are going to have in a very short time using these methods. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Sara, To develop your skills as an educator continue on the path that your are. Use common sense as you approach the classroom. By using your previous instructors as role models you have a foundation from which to start. In this course the content is very basic and intended to help you feel comfortable in the classroom. Keep in mind the course content is intended to be a guide. You don't have to follow everything in the exact order it is listed. Again, use common sense in your planning. Use all of the graphic examples you can because no… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Michael, I agree with you about the importance of keeping the progress students are making in front of them. They often get so bogged down with the course and life's pressures that they forget that they are making real progress. By being reminded of their progress they can see that all of their efforts are worth while. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Ann, Good way to make your course content "real". As for the guest speakers, this is what I call the "parent syndrome". Parents are suppose to tell us certain things and we kids dismiss it somewhat because it is their job to tell us these things. This is the same for instructors. I have taken my students on field trips and had guest speakers come in. After the speakers leave the students talk about how the speakers made everything so real. Then they say, "why don't you ever tell us those things?". I just covered that very same topic… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ann, Great way to create a flow to your classes. You are keeping on top of the physical needs of your students through the breaks and then bringing back their cognitive processing through the discussion format. I am sure your students really enjoy your classes. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Thelma, What a great example of how an instructor can impact the lives of students. Your methods are bringing the real world into the classroom plus creating a connection to the lives of the students. A great complement to you that the students come back just to keep you posted on the progress in their lives. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Ann, What an excellent way of connecting with your students and customizing your instruction to meet their needs. These changes also help to keep you fresh and excited about your course. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Hanna, You are correct about the instructor setting the tone for the environment. Over the years I have taught in some horrible conditions and by setting a positive supportive tone I was able to keep the student engaged in learning in spite of the cold, peeling paint and broken equipment. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Andrew, Listening is an essential part of being an instructor. By listening you know how to plan and support your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Jerry, You are right that we need to stay sharp as instructors or we will not "see" what out students are seeing. If we don't things can slide and the students will notice the decline of our attention to professionalism. Gary

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