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

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Alison, Thank you for sharing this example of how by listening to feedback an instructor was able to modify the instructional approach to the benefit of the students. Your ability to make a change is now enhancing the learning and application of your students. This is what a true educational professional is all about. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making Instruction Relevant

Hi John, You have that right. This makes their learning of new material and skills real because they can use it in their personal situations and see how the connection between school and real life really works. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Tonia, You have a great situation by having only two students. Since your 2 students are doing well you can use this time to refine your planning and writing of goals and objectives. This way you will be ready for this course the next time you get to teach it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Johnny, You are right about the long days and sorry about the misstep on the words. Right now looking forward to Turkey day and some time away from the office. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making a Positive First Impression

Hi John, Right you are. This is much like the aroma coming from home baked bread while touring a house as a prospective buyer. Your brain is telling all kinds of good things about the home as a result of the wonderful smell coming from the kitchen. This is the same for a great first class session. It makes the students want to come back to see what will happen next. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Jennifer, You are so right about the need for students to be made to feel welcome and comfortable in the class. Through introductions and ice breakers this can be accomplished. You want them to leave the first class excited about what they are going to learn in the coming weeks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Judy, You ask a good question that has a number of different answers to it. Many instructors like to be called by their first name. I have always preferred to call my instructors by their last names and I want my students to address me by my last name as well. I think this sets the tone for the instructor student relationship. Having them call you Mrs. G is a great way to go because the use of a title is there but the shortening of your name to a letter creates a base for the development of rapport… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Application of New Knowledge

Hi Judy, Having too much to teach seems to be a common problem with most of us. The method you are using is a good way to help the students to retain information from previous classes while getting ready in minds for what is going to be shared in the present class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi David, Well said about the need for variety and change of pace in keeping the attention of students. You are doing a great job of keeping them engaged as a result of your working hard at being a professional communicator of information and knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Tina, What a great way to show the human side of yourself as an instructor in an online situation. Those little personal comments and connections do so much as you well know in keeping the students engaged in the course. Gary

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