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

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi David, I congratulate you for as far as you have come in coping with so many different variables. I hope things settled down a bit in the coming weeks. Once you get yourself settled I would suggest you try and use structured discussions. Depending on the size of the class this is a very good teaching strategy. If the class is larger (30-40) I would put the students into learning groups of 3-4. Then give topics for discussion. You can give 3-5 key points at the beginning of the discussion and the have students discuss and contribute points that… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Cherin, I agree with you big time. Instructors need to keep their courses fresh if they are going to really engage their students. I have taught for many years the same courses. Each course phase I introduce a new strategy, activity, case study or problem. It is fun to seek these out, prepare them and then introduce them to the class. This way my classes get better, I am excited and the students get the benefit of an improved course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Osiel, Good point about the need for refocusing at times. Yes, we all need to it. I am a big believer in vacations as well. Stepping away from our work for some different activities really help us when we return to our chosen occupation. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Kent, Not off the subject at all in terms of comments about learning styles. I agree with the new research and in fact for the past few years I have been using learning preferences. To me there is a big difference between learning styles and learning preferences. I look forward to looking at the video. Thanks for sharing it with me. Also I have been researching the assessment of multiple intelligences for the past twenty years and have developed an assessment (Talent Key). This research has led me to my thought shift from styles to preferences because of how… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Sarah, Powerful and true. That first impression sets the tone for the upcoming course. Granted a poor first impression can be corrected with time and effort but it is so much easier to make a positive first impression and build from there rather than trying to dig out of a negative hole. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Sandra, Good points about how to work with students that are there for reasons other than their own. I am always sad when I hear this because the selection of a career is so important that it needs to be done carefully and on the terms of the individual selecting it. Hopefully the parents of students can hear this and work with their son or daughter and allow them to do the selecting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Anita, This is what I do as well in my classes. I agree with your assessment as to how valuable this time is in establishing relationships and rapport. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Dreena, Great to hear! This is what instructional planning and development is all about. Yours is a success story for both your students and yourself. You are going to continue to have a great teaching career as a result of the effort your are putting into your curriculum organization. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi John, As I am a "hands on" learner I agree with you about how effective this method is. It gives your students the basics when enables them to go to the next level of being creative as you mention. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Gerald, Teaching classes with students that have these types of experiences and backgrounds sounds like fun. You can really get into some exciting discussions as a result of what they are bringing to the class. Gary

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