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 Richard, You ask a good question about when to share the homework assignments with students. I have found that it works for me to give the students all of the assignments at the beginning of the course. This helps the students with planning their course efforts. A question might be raised that this could scare the students since they will see all that they have to do in one big lump. This has not been the case because I then show them the time lines and how we will accomplish all of the assignments in sequences of time and… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Hi Richard, I support your position on using case studies. I have used them for years and my students are like your students they like them because they get to use their newly acquired knowledge with the studies. Plus, with case studies you can keep everything current by looking for and introducing new case studies based upon what is happening in the field. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Hi Wayne, Good point about application of course content. You are making it "real" for your students. They can see relevancy to what you are teaching them. They know they are going to have "take aways" when they have completed your course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Jerry, Do you have your students sign a form that say they have received a course syllabus and that they have read and understand the course requirements? Or is there another way you get their acknowledgment? Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Wayne, I am sure that the 10% figure is accurate because I know my students want to know the course requirements, expectations, and polices right up front. Once they know them they start to get settled in because they know what they are going to be doing over the next few weeks. With good planning and clear explanations of projects and activities the students will stick with the course. As humans we all like to know what the outcomes are for our efforts. This is using the business model of Return On Investment (ROI) in an educational format. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ernest, You are right about keeping the students focused on the true target, learning in the classroom. The environment can take that away from students quite easily unless instructors work to make sure that everything is being done to make the setting supportive and inviting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Wayne, Good points about the environment. The instructor really needs to be observation of the big picture in terms of student comfort. Watching that the little things don't distract while focusing on the instructional content an instructor will be both effective and efficient. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Daniel, Busy is a key word in learning. The students need to be engaged and focused on course content and skill development. If they are busy and seeing application to what they are doing they will be excited about their courses. Gsry

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Nathan, Good suggestions on how to bring variety to the classroom. Students' brains need variety to keep engaged plus different approaches help to appeal to their learning preferences. Keep trying out different deliveries and not only will you appeal more to the learning needs of your students these efforts will help to keep you excited about your content as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Michelle, Good approach to showing consistency in relation to what you are asking of your students. By having them write down expectations and then following up on them you are showing the students that their expectations are or real value to you and you want to help the achieve those expectations. Gary

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