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

Application of New Knowledge

Hi Matt, I really like this model. It is sequential and progressive so as the students build their knowledge and skill they assume additional decision/problem solving responsibility. This type of education has them ready when they step out into the real world of work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Erin, Well said. Frustration and in many cases anger surfaces when students aren't given clear directions and expectations. This greatly reduces the opportunity to develop respect and rapport with the students. Once that happens it is a downward spiral into troubled teaching and makes for a very uncomfortable situation for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Vicki, Good points. Thanks for sharing them. You have given us the foundation of instructional professionalism that is needed for teaching success. I would add enthusiasm as being another key as a role model. When students see someone that is excited about the field and is really looking forward to teaching others about it they get excited as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Brian, So true. The establishing of rapport and the earning of respect sets the tone for the class. Through these two a connection can be made that helps the students to see the human factor involved in career success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Leo, Well said. Excitement is contagious so the more we bring it to the classroom the more motivated our students will be. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Erin, Great definition of instructional professionalism in the broadest sense. We all should aspire to live and reflect this definition. If we accomplish such then we will be a model for our profession as well as our students. Thanks for sharing it with us. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

educational teaching techniques

Hi Cynthia,

The instructor development courses are designed to contain specific content in each course as well as build on the content in the sequence of courses. As you know from having taken ED 101 that course covers the basics of becoming a career college instructor, particular discussing the Three M Model, of being a model, manager and motivator. ED 102 discusses different methods of engaging students in the learning process so they will want to remain enrolled and making progress toward their career goals. ED 103 is focused on the identifying the different learning preferences that students bring to… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Joe, Like your last sentence. It really puts into perspective the opportunities we have as educators. We get to teach, prepare the next generation of people for our field, be creative and get paid for it. What's not to like? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Elizabeth, This is very common for all instructors. We all get tired as we progress through the course so by offering variety we re-energize ourselves and our students. This makes the rest of the course go by much quicker and higher levels of learning occurring. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Application of New Knowledge

Hi Linda, I agree with you that the more variety you can offer students the more knowledge retention there will be. By coming at the material from different angles the students get to see different applications and this really helps them with their problem solving skill development. Gary

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