Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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

Hi Mary Jane, Good way to end a class. The students verbalize their ROI from that day. If they can verbalize the return on their investment that day and each day the class meets they will see the progress they are making in the course. Gary
Hi Becky, A very simple approach to teaching success. If everyone understands the course expectations then the focus can be on learning rather than trying to sort out what it takes to pass the class. Gary
Hi Becky, Well said. This is why instructors need to "read" the class atmosphere to determine how students are settling into the course. Then if adjustments are needed they can be done and the course move forward with everyone feeling a part of the class. Gary
Hi Karen, I like the way you are engaging the students in the connecting of content with application. By having activities that helps the students to see relevancy to what they have just learned you are greatly increasing that knowledge retention level. Gary
Hi Ian, Good way to keep students engaged. These shorter lectures have a higher impact on the knowledge retention of students. The Q&A session then reinforces what they have just heard. This helps the students to move the content into their long term memories. Gary
Hi Nick, What are some of the strategies you will be using to implement the different learning styles into your courses? Thanks for your input on this. Gary

Hi Jared, Good point about how to accept criticism. As a book author I know when my copy editor gets through with one of my manuscripts it is going to have mark ups all over it. I learned years ago that is is not personal it is beneficial. By considering the edits and revisions that are suggested the content reads better and thus I have a stronger work as a result of it. I know students have some difficulty in getting through this area but through your support and encouragement I know they can start to see the value of… >>>

Hi Heather, Good point about the need for preparation. I have been in the faculty work center and observed a number of my colleagues stressed out trying to get copies run two minutes before their class starts at the other end of the building. They loose all hope when the copy machine breaks down. They just fall to the floor and go into a fetal position. It is not worth it. By planning we instructors can be in the classroom/lab and greet our students when they come in develop rapport with them. This sets the tone for a great class.… >>>

Hi Heather, Good strategies for getting students involved. They do need to be made to feel they are a part of the class. They need to feel accepted and comfortable with you, the course and their fellow students. Once these items are in place the learning process can move forward for everyone. Gary
Hi Minerva, I really like the way you introduce yourself. You are right about the human or superhuman part. The students get to see you as a professional educator with a life much like theirs. Sometimes students forget that instructors are humans at all. Gary

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