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

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Melissa, You make a number of very good points about how to be in integral part of the online instructional process. The quick response time is critical to students because that way they know you are out there and focusing on their contributions to the course. This helps to create a "real time" feeling for them. What do see as being the biggest challenge to a new online instructor? What can they do to over come the challenge? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi John, The blending of content with application is an excellent way of keeping students engaged in the learning process. The students can see what they soon will be working with and that as you know helps to peak their interest. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Barbara, Great examples of meeting diverse student needs. You are right on target with your modifying of how you approach different student groups. This is the sign of an instructor that understands learning methods suitable for all groups. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Steven, Way to go in creating a solid foundation for your students. By having the expectations and requirements they know what will be coming in the coming weeks. They can get comfortable with you and the class and then move forward with the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Dale, Student rapport is critical for teaching success. You are using a number of strategies to make that happen. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Antoinette, Thank you for sharing the organizational pattern for getting your students involved in the class. The use of the mini-lectures and group activities all help to get all the students involved. Also, the students get to demonstrate their leadership abilities when they share the results of their group work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Tony, Good way to start a class. Even though the students are there to learn a specific set of skills or knowledge they need time to get settled in. The way you are starting your classes allows that to happen. Once the introductions are completed the students will have a feel for how the class is going to flow. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Raymond, Great story of how an instructor can have a major influence on the success of a student simply by following up. I congratulate you on saving this one and I know you will be able to help others as time goes by. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Diane, You have made a number of excellent points about how to be set up an instructional environment that is supportive of learning. Class management will be much easier if you have all the components you have listed in place and organized. Then we can concentrate on our educational delivery and planning for it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Warren, With the courses I have taught online it seems that it doesn't take much to get a series of discussions going on a topic that is "hot" with students. I have also created discussion groups and had them work on a case study or problem together and then report out on it. This gets a lot of discussion going within that group and then when they post their discussion the other students enter in. Gary

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