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 Paul, A positive learning environment is important for catching the interest and attention of students just as you mention. By using color and vivid displays of tools, equipment or role models for the career area you are setting the stage for the students as they start the new class. It is important to capture their attention so an inviting classroom with a well prepared instructor will do much to make learning happen. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Barbara, Excellent job of outlining some strategies for student retention. As you mention the reasons for leaving school are many and instructors need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the students so they can zero in on ways to help the students. Thank you for sharing I know this information will be of benefit to many people. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Cynthia, Thank you for the kind words about the content. As you apply this newly acquired knowledge what do you see as your biggest challenge and your greatest strength in your classroom? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Pamela, You are using your "common sense" and many years of observing people when you talk about "tuning" in on your students. Many times instructors don't think that they have the skills to be teachers when they are first starting out after being in their career field for many years so they check their common sense at the school house door. A big mistake. That common sense serves instructors very well as it has gotten them this far in their careers. By having a personal professional development plan you can move from being a just a subject matter expert… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Barbara, Thanks for sharing this teaching experience. You are right about getting too many suggestions or opinions. What you might want to do is to solicit their opinions or input but use a forced choice format. This way they have to respond to several options that you present to them rather than they going all over the place with their own opinions. Also, this format keeps them focused on the topics that you want to cover and the questions that result will be on that content. Example-maybe you want to give the students the choice of discussing course content… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Juliet, Right on. The key is to find the balance between the 3 fs. Sounds like you have had good instructors in the past that helped you to realize what you liked and respected in an instructor and thus are able create the same within your instructional style. I wish you the best in your teaching career. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Manuel, Welcome to the profession. I know you are going to enjoy having a part in developing the lives of your students. The sharing of your knowledge and experience with the next generation is rewarding in so many different ways. I wish you the best in you new endeavor. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Lynnette, Good way to start a course. Your method lets the students ease into the course while you are learning about them and they about you. Plus, they are having fun with the ice breakers. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Joseph, This is why knowing the learning preferences of your students is so important. That way you can offer instruction in a variety of ways that will appeal to all of the students at some time during the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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REFOCUS...

Hi Joseph, How do you make sure your objectives are in concert with the course and student needs? Gary

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