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.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Setting Expectations

Hi Andrew, You have captured the essence of how to create student comfort in the classroom setting. By giving them the requirements and then helping them meet the requirements you will be doing what you are suppose to do as an instructor, help students learn. Consistency is the by word of instruction. Enough cannot be said about this, but often it is forgotten and instructors find themselves in difficult situations that could have be avoided by simple following through with what they said they would do. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

Hi Larry, A proper setting lends itself to positive growth. This simple truth if often forgotten in educational settings. If the classroom is not properly arranged and the supportive equipment is not functioning then no matter how hard you try as an instructor you are going to struggle. There are many things an instructor can do to create a supportive environment for students. The most important thing is to look around and see the setting through the eyes of the students. This vision perspective will greatly assist you in developing the setting you want to have in your classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructional Style

Hi Larry, Great response to the Forum. You are right about needing to improve while maintaining a high level of consistency of instruction. As humans we are resistant to change so when the opportunity for change comes our way we sometimes miss it. Your attitude of seeking instructional change when you see application is a good one. I like to look at instructional improvement like a buffet line. I see all of the choices and from these choices I will make selections that are both good and good for me. A suggestion I would make is to constantly seek feedback… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making the Course Relevant

Hi Andrew, Right you are about the examples used and the need to use many of them so students can see the relevance of what they are studying from a variety of perspectives. You might want to develop an evaluation procedure where you can get feedback from your students about how effective the examples were in getting your point across. Use 3x5 cards and let the student give you feedback anonymously. This way you can learn how effective the examples are without any pressure being put on the students. This method can be used in terms of assignments, tests, etc.… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

Hi Andrew, People are interesting aren't they? Even though they are paying money to get a career changing education they can be easily sidetracked by environmental issues. To create the learning community we educators want each time our classes meet, we must take the environmental issues out of the picture. By surveying the classroom or laboratory prior to the class meeting and making sure it is set up properly, clean, and ready for students, then you can make yourself ready to teach. By having your handouts, assignments, and lab supplies organized and displayed the students can see you are ready… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructional Style

Hi Andrew, You are facing a challenge. Many subject matter experts can only copy what they have seen in their own learning experiences. So they may be trying to copy a style that is really not their own. What I try to do with new instructors is to clearly define the three roles of an educator, that being the model, manager and motivator. By giving them clear approaches, examples, and implementation strategies within each of these three areas they get a sense of comfort and it Ã¢â‚¬Å“buysÃ¢â‚¬Â them some time to really develop their own style. Once they understand their… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making the Course Relevant

Hi Keith, In addition to having visuals for the students, it is always good to have examples of applications outside of the classroom. If you can show the student through pictures, videos, or guest speakers examples of how effective blueprint reading will result in accurate construction you will have achieved a major instructional goal. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Setting Expectations

Hi Keith, By making the requirements of the course clear and carefully explaining your expectations for student performance at the very beginning of the course will help both you and the students to get off on the right foot from the start. There is enough confusion for students just getting settled into the course without them worrying about what the instructor really wants. Make it simple, make it clear and you will do well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

Hi Keith, Right you are. Keeping the learning setting clear of distractions and providing support for the students within that environment is essential for effective learning to take place. Each day you enter the classroom you need to look around and make sure that the setting is the best you possibility can make it for learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning Environment

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