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 Rory, I would suggest that you do some type of "ice breaker" that has the students using some of the terms unique to the field or doing a problem solving activity. Divide the class up into groups and have them compete playing a game that uses topics or examples of the field. The point is get the students talking among themselves, getting to know each other, using some of the activities or language unique to the field and having fun with the career area. This will help to get the first day off to a great start. You will… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Ira, Right you are about past students being used as success stories for current students. This way they get a very clear message that their efforts today can result in the same pay off as the former students are talking about due to hard work and personal effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Steve, Great grasp of how learning can be handled in a number of different ways. The multiple intelligences helps us educators understand how they process information the learning preferences then can be used as avenues for effective learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Timothy, Infants learn by imitating other infants or adults with whom they have contact. As they get older they are suppose to start thinking and acting more on their own. In some ways this is true but in many they still act like infants and imitate what they are exposed to. Your point about keeping "above the line" is a good one. Excitement is catching so this is what we bring to the classroom so they will imitate that. Will make classroom management much easier. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Steve, Great example. The more episodic memory examples that you can give your students the easier it will be for them to recall the information and retain for a longer period of time. I like what you are doing and I am sure your students do as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Fred, Well said. Not only are you sending the message that you are a professional and that you want your students to do their best you are also telling them that your standards are based upon business standards. By learning and complying to these standards now the students will be well prepared to enter into and succeed in their career area. This is powerful and essential for their future. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Bernie, I am aware of different computer based worksheets in the business area though I have not worked with them directly. I would suggest that you contact Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) at acteonline.org and see if they can refer you to some sites. They have a business education division that should be able to help you find what you need. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Sara, With your wide variety of experiences with students coming from many different backgrounds and cultures I am sure that you have developed a number of very good techniques for getting to know about your students. What have you found to be the easiest way to get background information and knowledge about your students? This kind of information is valuable to new instructors that are looking for ways of developing rapport with their students and providing instructional support. Thank you for your input. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Carroll, You are correct about different learning patterns and pathways. We instructors need to work hard at knowing our students and then offering instruction thorough a variety of ways so each student can grasp the knowledge and develop the skills within their learning pathway. Also, by offering a variety of instructional deliveries you keep your own excitement up about being a teacher. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi John, Glad to hear it. Not only will your students learn content but you will keep them interested through doing. Hands on learning a very powerful method of keeping students engaged in the learning process. Gary

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