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

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Michael, This is a good way to demonstrate relevancy to your students. You are connecting the content of your course with their lives out side of school. This is important for them to see as they progress through their coursework. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Marie, Good way to sell your career area. Your passion really comes through in the forum so I am sure it comes through in your teaching. This really helps your students to say engaged and focused on what they are learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Manuela, Great to hear how you are setting up your courses for the next cycle. You are going to do well as you gain experience and expertise in the classroom. Glad to hear that the course has been of value to you. Let me know if I can be of any future help to you as well. Yours in teaching. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Blog

Mid-Course Encouragement

You need to be senstive to the dynamics of your class. Each class is different based upon the students, course level and content. To keep students engaged and focused on the class you need to "read" the students as they progress through the course. By having general knowledge about your students you will be able to provide support and encouragement when needed. About midway through the course when the students are wearing down and issues outside of the classroom start to press in on them is when discouragement most frequently occurs.

It is at this time they need to be… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi John, Great goals. Let me know if I can help you achieve those goals as you move through the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Steve, Well said! This is what teaching and learning should be about. Making it interesting, engaging and relevant. When this is done then the ROI of learning is met. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Tyler, You make a good point about helping students to see the practicality of what they are learning. This is so important in the teaching learning process. Without application and relevancy the instructional process can break down quickly. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Matthew, Three excellent points on how to relate to students. By practicing these three you will be in a position to really impact the lives of your students and help them achieve the career goals they have set for themselves. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Hi Ralph, This is so true. A good instructor will be a good listener as well. It is through listening that we learn. I saw a plaque that read "When you are talking you are not learning!". I have always thought of that saying when I have started a new class. I need to remind myself to be sure and listen so I can learn from my students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi James, I really like how you laid the core of instruction using the 2 R's. You are dead on with them. Without realness, relevancy and repetition the instructional process will break down rather quickly with lead to the 4th R and that is Retention. Retention is going to suffer is if the three other R's are absent. Thanks for sharing them with us. Gary

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