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

Making the Course Relevant

Hi Alfredo, From your forum discussion it sounds like you are mixing both the personal touch of support to your students as well as giving them real life examples that will help them to be successful when they graduate. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making the Course Relevant

Hi James, Good suggestions about how to introduce your own experiences into the course in such a manner as to be supportive. This approach gives the students an opportunity to see how their efforts can be rewarded through hard work and study. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

Hi Alfredo, You are right about setting the tone for the environment. It is up to you to create a positive and working setting for your students. Many times instructors get so used to their classrooms/labs they don't see how shabby they have become. All of us need to keep a sharp eye out for how we can make our setting the best it can be for our students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructional Style

Hi Alfredo, I commend you on your self developed professional development plan. You saw the opportunity to enhance your professional expertise and you took it. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making the Course Relevant

Hi John, In addition, to the good suggestions you listed you might want to look for ways you can develop rapport with the students. Through introductions you can learn about your students and then key off of that knowledge to establish a rapport base that will help you students to relate to both you and the course content. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Setting Expectations

Hi John, You can list the expectations in written form and reinforce them through class discussions about outcomes. This time will be well spent as it helps the students to capture the vision of where their careers can go. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

Hi John, Right you are. We, as instructors need to be aware of how the physical setting for out class looks. What are the little things we can do to make the setting inviting? These little things can go a long ways in terms of helping the students to feel comfortable and learning ready. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Setting Expectations

Hi Efim, You are on to something good in terms of having your students project themselves into the future. Students get bogged down with the present in terms of their personal issues, studies, etc., and forget why they are there. By having a carrot of the future in front of the students they can see the future in the present. Good ideas about how to get them to look ahead. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructional Style

Hi John, Great question about student level of passion and professionalism. Are you expecting too much from some of your students in relations to these two areas, the answer is probably yes. But, I don't think you can lower your expectations. I have found over the years, that some students don't share my passion for my field. That disappoints me. In return I have found that if I keep my enthusiasm up it catches on with other students and I feel good internally about the effort I have put forth in my teaching. I have always felt that I will… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Louis, Great suggestions all. You listed a number of ideas that instructors can use to help keep their students engaged in the learning process. You have a very good understanding of what it takes to keep students motivated and enrolled. The human side of teaching is stronger than the content side no matter what the career field is. When the student feels respected, valued and engaged learning growth occurs. Keep up the good work with your students. Gary

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