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

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Humberto, You are right about our needing to establish a comfortable setting for learning. The students need to feel at ease when they enter. They need to know that they are going to receive a quality education from a dedicated professional. If we provide this then we will have done our job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Mohan, Great way to start and new class. You are creating a very strong professional image with your classroom environment. What do you see as being the biggest challenges you face with your career students? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Jorge, Right you are. This is why instructors need to use a wide variety of methods to instruct their students. This way the students can use their different learning preferences to acquire the knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Oliver, You make a number of good points about creating a supportive and comfortable environment for students. What are some strategies that you use to help get your classes off to a good start and the students feeling welcomed to your class? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Ken, You are right about the need for students to personalize their education. Instructors need to lay out their teaching strategies in such a fashion that the students can see themselves in the learning process. When they do they get motivated and excited about learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Kerry, Right you are about how to start a class off. Doing the things you mention will help to develop respect and rapport with students. With these two items in place you are ready to have a real impact on the learning process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Kerry, This is a great thing to do. It lets you "read" the climate of the students as they come in. As instructors we don't know what might have occurred before class that will impact on their learning. Spending a few minutes with them as they come in will help you to get the feel of how the class is going to go. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Timothy, I like your approach to getting the class off to a good start. They know you will be watching out for their best interest in terms of pacing and progress. Good job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Russell, Thank you for sharing this illustration on choking for a cold engine. I am sure that your students won't soon forget this graphic way of learning a new concept. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Glenn, Good quote. The key is the experience and expertise of those in charge. For the most part that happens to be we instructors. That is why I rely heavily on my advisory committees and industrial/business standards to help me select the right content for my courses. Gary

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