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

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Linda, You have a very good understanding of adult learners. Your ability to identify and then work with their learning styles will be very helpful to them because as you say many of them have negative experiences that have led them to developing negative learning styles. Not to mention their lack of study skills. All of these things need to be dealt with while keeping their interest up so they won't drop out. It is what makes teaching so interesting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Ashley, Learning is a complex and simple mix of getting information/content into our minds so we can do something with it. The distorting and deleting aspects of learning need to be developed so individuals can develop skills in keeping, sorting and storing information/content. By having knowledge of this process you will be a valuable asset to the students to not only help them learn but also retain content since you are aware of how to help them edit and delete what they are being exposed to. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Bridgett, Good idea. This way the students would have an idea of how their brains are processing information. They would understand how they need to work on certain aspects of the course content to assist them in retaining it and making it a part of their working memory. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Janet, Good idea concerning having students develop multiple choice questions to be used in review. An added value I have found using this procedure is that I learn what the students consider to be important by the questions they develop. It is a form of evaluation for me to redirect my course content if I need to or emphasize different points. It is a great way of getting the students engaged and letting them know I am responsive to their perceptions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Janet, I am a big fan of case studies as well. I use them all time to reinforce concepts I have shared with my students. They get to see application as well. You mention your students seem to like them. What is it about case studies that they like the most? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Janet, You make a good point about how little things such as moving chairs and tables can redirect the minds of the students. These effort show the students that you are planning for their instruction and want to make them comfortable and able to focus on the course content. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Farida, I like your approach of offering different uses of learning styles for the same activities. That way students can find their preferences and comfort level within the subject. This should greatly enhance their success rate. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Jennifer, Welcome to the profession. Keep up your excitement about the field and teaching. We need instructors like you that like what they are doing and enjoy helping students achieve their career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Dave, With 40 years of experience I am sure you have seen just about everything that can occur in your field. These experiences are valuable to your students and form the foundation for their approach and perspective of the field. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Dotti, Thank you so much for the excellent information. You have a comprehensive approach to supporting and encouraging your students toward success. Think of the impact you are having on the lives of these students. I commend you for all of your efforts. Gary

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