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

Making Your Expectations Clear

Laura, That or you could develop a guided notes handout that would have the key points listed with sub-headings and areas where notes could be taken. Then the students would follow the PowerPoint presentation while completing the outline/notes sections. This way you know they have the key points because you have pulled them out and listed them for your students but they will have personalized the information bu putting in their own perspectives on the information being covered on the slides. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Seth, So true and such an important point to make. Many of the students I have today have a sense of entitlement so they don't feel they have to invest in developing self discipline and expertise in the area of problem solving or critical thinking. The more experience we can get them in the area of critical thinking the more they realize that it does take effort to be a critical thinker. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

David, These are the students that I have as well so I follow your approach. The more use of the senses I can incorporate into my teaching the more engaged my students are. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Patricia, Thank you for making this point because it is a critical area for adult learners. They have taken a risk coming back to school and they are in many cases fearful that they will not be able to compete in the class. Early success will help them build their confidence and then grow from there. Love to see them about half way through the course grinning from ear to ear when they complete a project that they thought was beyond them just a few weeks before. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Lucille, Knowing that they have your support is very important to the students. They know they have someone they can relate to and call upon as needed and this goes a long way in helping them with their self confidence. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Brian, As you have encountered students really perk up when you share stories from the field with them. These stories help the students to make application of and see relevance in what is being taught. This increases the ROI of the course so they start to how they can use what is being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Lori, This is such a great strategy to follow. You are not only imparting content to your students you are helping them with their character development as well. This helps them as their prepare to enter the workplace and become successful in their careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Andrea, Change is a constant in teaching and you have experienced that as demonstrated by your comments. The more you can read your students, provide timely support and get them engaged the greater their retention rate is going to be. Keep up the good work! Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Lauren, Like the way you read your students and then adapted your instruction to better engage them in the learning process. This is what good teaching is all about and you are to be commended for your effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Andrea, If the learning environment is not supportive or at the very least neutral then students are going to be put off from the very beginning in relation to the class. It is a must we have a setting that they can feel comfortable in and look forward to what is going to be shared. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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