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

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Nancy, Good point about the need for variety in delivery. This benefits everyone when it is done. There is more focus and engagement going on this way thus enhancing the learning potential. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Issy, So true for this type of student. So the more specific you can be about the course goals and objectives the higher their comfort level is going to be. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Pat, I like to use this method as well. I think it benefits everyone when active discussions and questioning sessions are held. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Edward, Good point. There is a saying that reflects this very well. "When you are talking you are not learning." So the more we listen the more we are going to learn about our students. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Edward, Good to hear. You are using your strengths to get you success while integrating the human factor into your teaching. This is a great balance to have. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Ian, I like the way you connected the dots of his previous life experiences to his current situation. This approach can be powerful in helping students to see that everything we attempt is going to require some experience so we can continue to get better at it. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Alisa, Students want and need to know the expectations of the course so they can establish in their minds what their success potential is. Once these questions are answered then they can start to focus on the course content. Good point about how you share this information with them. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Ron, All good ways to send a message to your students that yes indeed you are a professional educator that is excited and prepared to teach. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Blog

Guest Speakers as Motivators

Guest speakers and field trips have been a part of instruction since the beginning of time. In a previous blog I covered benefits of using field trips to reinforce what is being taught and in this blog I wanted to highlight the value of using guest speakers. Guest speakers bring to the classroom/lab relevancy and application. They are the models that the students will be observing when they are out in the workforce so the earlier they can meet and hear from them the better.

There are two groups guest speakers that really capture the attention of the students and… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

Ron, Using a visual method like this really helps the students to move the new information from short term memory to working memory. With the graphs they can see the information in their minds and then pull it up for use as needed. Good idea. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

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