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

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Tracy, Great to hear about your REFOCUS effort. Everyone is going to benefit from your renewed enthusiasm about teaching your content. Have fun with it! I wish you the best in your teaching. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Tracy, I think I had those same two instructors. I am sure many of us could claim the same experiences. Thank you for sharing them with us. These examples let you know where you want to go as an instructor. Keep it a live and keep them engaged and teaching gets a whole lot easier as a result. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Norman, You make a key point about the breaking down of the content and skills into segments that the students are able to understand and internalize. Once an instructor gets a hold of how to do the segmenting then the instructional process gets easier and the students learn more effectively. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Steven, Right you are about the need to identify the different types of learners in the classroom. What are some methods you use to do this? Thanks in advance for sharing with us. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Being Successful in College

Hi Jonathan, You are a great example to use when talking with adult students. Your life experiences show them that they can be successful if they are willing to put forth the effort and never give up. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Being Successful in College

Hi Virginia, Good point. These learners have had so many life experiences that they do have a lot to share if we will draw them out and listen. They can bring a different perspective to the course as a result of their contributions. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Cynthia, I commend you for the different ways you are striving to support your students. The connections you are making with them will be valuable in that they will help to keep the students in school as well as helping them to see that they can be successful if they will put forth the effort. Great job! Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Mary, You covered learner characteristics very well. Learner characteristics covers both the learning preference part as well as the life experiences that the students bring to the classroom. Downsized or unemployed workers looking to prepare for a new career are different that students that are trying to come out of addiction to create a future. Both groups have need for support they just need different kinds of support. The more we can know about them the more we can help them. You are right on target with your efforts to help them continue their career preparation and growth. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Martha, You are so right. My heart goes out to some of the students I am working with currently. They don't have some of the basic needs even though they are working hard at part time jobs to provide for their families and go to school to create a new career path. Through our understanding we can be supportive and help them to move forward on their new career paths. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Tony, You make a good point. What are some way you use to learn more about your students? Thanks in advance for sharing with us. Gary

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