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 Robert, Good way to keep student involved even though they are working in a lecture content class. The structured outline format helps them to see the progress that is being made and where they need to focus their attention. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Jean, Thank you for you input on the subject of instructional development and change. You are right about the need to embrace change rather than fight it. The key is to develop an understanding of what the change is and how it will impact the learning process. A few years ago when PowerPoint was introduced to education people jumped on the use of it, and it became the medium of instruction rather than just a tool to be used in instruction. A PP presentation is an additional tool to be used but the instructor is still the key to… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Rebecca, The use of examples from previous classes really does help in reducing frustration and anxiety on the part of new students. I tell them I don't mind you spending a lot of time on the project doing it, I just don't want you spending a lot of time wondering how to do it. Examples helps to get them focused and moving forward on the actual work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Thelma, Well said. If we are fresh then our delivery will be fresh as well. We need to always keep this in our minds as we start a new course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Laura, A grading rubric is a great way to clearly illustrate how projects or papers will be graded. By providing examples of these projects and then showing the students where the points are going to be earned you are helping them to understand where they need to focus their efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Bruce, Stories like yours is what keeps the students focused on their own goals. They can see through you how they can accomplish their career training and create a future for themselves. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Margie, Thanks for sharing your students' feedback on where they are coming from and what they have gained from the course. You are giving them a true picture of their future through the teaching that you are doing, not to mention the legacy of preparing the next generation entering the field. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Elise, Great professional development plan. You are at a point in your teaching career that you can have fun with developing additional ways of presenting dynamic and exciting lectures while influencing the success of your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Jim, You have shared with us a list that I think most of us instructors could do down and check each item off saying we have had the same questions ask. I am always amazed that students will pay all that money to go to school and then not want to get all the benefits they have coming from their program. Yes, entitlement becomes a big issue with these students. Continue to hold the line on professional dress, behavior and knowledge. You earned your degrees through hard work and have developed a skill base that you are willing to… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Jorge, This is a great way of taking students into the "real world" and showing them that the study efforts they are putting forth can result in them working in the setting they are observing. You are right it does get them excited. Gary

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