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

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Mary, Right you are. Students need to know that their instructor is in charge of the class and has planned carefully for their success. Through organization this can happen. Students need a comfort level in order to get settled into the course and this is a good way to do it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Katie, Way to bring the human aspect of your teaching out to your students. If they know you are approachable and you have rapport with them then you are going to have a much greater relationship that lends itself to you encouraging and motivating them in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Katie, You are correct about factoring in all the variables when it comes to meeting student needs. It is a challenge to offer individualized instruction to the masses yet that is the job we have assigned to us. Make each student feel that he/she is the target of instruction from the instructor. It is possible but does take a lot of effort. It is also very rewarding when the students are successful as a result of your efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Rulon, Great idea, thanks for sharing it. I use a method for student feedback similar to yours but I think yours is more simple. Two columns plus or minus you (meaning student) tell me what you are feeling as a student in this course. I bet you get great feedback and are able to incorporate the information into how you change the course the next time you teach it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Jeffrey, Good way to incorporate your students into the explanation process so everyone is clear on what is going to be required in the coming weeks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Karen, I like your approach of informing students of the course requirements through several different methods. This way you are reinforcing what you are talking about with visual reminders. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Scott, The use of real world examples helps the students to see relevancy and application to what they are studying. Thanks for the comments. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Vincent, You make a good point about the learning environment and how important it is to student success. The key is to be aware of how you can provide the needed support at the most needed time. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Kristine, You last point is a very powerful one. The students know you are there for them. This kind of support is critical as they progress through the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Vincent, Good point. By posting you have a very clear idea of how your students are understanding the course requirements and expectations. This is very important for student comfort and support. Gary

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