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

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Barry, I like this exercise for several reasons. It sounds like it is fun for the students to do and it gives them a follow up opinion of what has occurred when they see their responses at the end of the course. Thanks for sharing it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Joyce, Well said in relation to the need for a well prepared syllabus. A well prepared syllabus as you know can save so much time and student frustration because they learn what the expectations are and have most of their questions answered. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Niles, I know giving out candy sounds elementary but you are right, it can be a great motivator. The adults like to be recognized for their abilities and giving out candy for answers or other successes helps to reinforce their self confidence. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Joyce, Well said. We can never forget where out students come from. Many of them bring a lot of baggage into the classroom and we need to help them to be successful so the baggage doesn't get in the way of their success. We are helping them to create a future and that is why we are teachers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Mike, I think this is a great way to keep the pulse of the class and how things are going. This lets you make any changes that are needed to keep everyone moving forward. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Mark, Right you are. This to me is one of the fun parts of being an instructor. I get to be creative and have variety in what I do each time I teach the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi David, Your second sentence is right on concerning using different instructional deliveries to reach different learning styles in bigger classes. By rotating through the different styles you allow the students to feel comfortable within them which will lead to more involvement on the part of the learners. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Joseph, I agree with you about the need for a more soft and personal introduction by the instructor. The human side of the instructor needs to be highlighted along with the professional experience. This way the students can start building a connection with the instructor from the very first class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Steven, Look for logical breaks in what you are lecturing on. If your students are following you on their computers you are in a great position to give them a technique and have them practice that. Then go back and give them more content and then have them practice that. This way the pacing of the class changes and the students get to immediately use their newly acquired knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Steven, Thank you for sharing your instructional strategy with us as well as the kind words about the course. By working together and trying to learn all we can about learning our instructional effectiveness will continue to increase. Gary

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