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

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Jennifer, Interesting mix of students you have. I am an outdoor person myself so I would welcome the sun but I understand those that don't. Good read for your students in that you create the environment that works for you and your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi John, This is a tough one because it sounds like they have been able to drink coffee in class and now they can't. This puts the instructor in a tough spot because he/she becomes the Greek messenger and has to enforce the new rule. I would try to make a joke of it and move quickly away from the rule meaning not let the students dwell on it and increase their frustration at not being able to drink coffee. The good news is that the next class will be a fresh start since they will not have ever been… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Melissa, I agree. Getting them settled in and feeling like this is a place they want to be is critical to moving them forward in their learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Tina, Great. This is an incentive for them to complete their work since they are working in a comfortable and supportive setting. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Lisa, Good goal to have. The more you can set the stage for targeted teaching the more effective you are going to be in sharing the content. This is why we need to always try to reduce the distractions as much as we can. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Rob, Good for you. Using observation to see how students react to situations and process information will give you ideas on how you can customize your instruction to meet their respective needs. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Gregory, Good to hear that the content will help you have insight into how your students process information. You are right about using episodic memory as much as you can. The more students can create connections between their life experiences and the content the higher the level of retention there is going to be. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Karyn, Good way to reinforce what has been and will be taught. Visual, verbal and hands on applications of content helps the students to store the content in their working memories. This way the content will be there for use the next time they need to pull up something from memory and apply it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Don, You make a good point about reshaping your delivery based upon what you know about your students. The good news is that after you have done this a time or two the process gets easier and quicker so you are able to zero in on the students' learning needs much more efficiently. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Robb, Your point is a good one about understanding adult learners. By knowing why they are there you can shape your instructional delivery to meet their needs. You can also customize your teaching that will enable them to use their life experiences in the class which help to build confidence in their ability to be successful in the course. Gary

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