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

Motivating Learners

Hi Monica, I use games for review of content. I put the students into groups and they compete with each other. The students have fun, prepare for the quiz and take away the needed information. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Rosemary, Your sharing of the story about noise at the bench is a great example to share with students. It shows a real world connection so the students will know the reason behind your policy of quiet at the bench. When they have an understanding about a class policy the compliance is much greater. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Dan, I agree about the use of humor to help bridge the gap with content that can be challenging. By helping your student relax and laugh a bit you are helping them to settle into the course and be more engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Dan, Right you are about being able to more effectively engage the students as a result of knowing more about them. Also, as you mentioned you can more effectively target their learning preferences as well. Thanks for these good comments. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Donna, Good advice for beginning instructors. Thanks for sharing this with us. You hit upon a key point when you mention flexibility. It needs to be within the ability of instructors to be flexible because as we all know things can change quickly in a course so we have to be able to adapt and still keep the course moving forward. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Monica, This is what being a professional educator is all about. Also, the modeling of expected behavior always speaks louder than anything else. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Whitney, This is a very good model for student engagement. Also, it really helps with learning for the students since they have to prepare themselves to be ready to lead the discussions. There is a saying that "Teaching is to learn twice." and I think that applies to this situation. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Whitney, Right you are about the need to lead by example. If the instructor does not do it, it is for sure the students will not be engaged. Also, excitement for one's field helps the students to see themselves in the career upon completion of their schooling. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Hi Rob, Keeping the excitement high is an important part of teaching. You have a number of ways you are doing this and I am sure that your students really stay engaged and focused as a result of your efforts. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Tina, You have a well thought out and balanced plan for engaging your students in math. Sounds like a fun informative course that will be enjoyed and applied by students as they progress through the content. Gary

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