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

Reasons for Enrolling

Cammie, Thank you for these wonderful comments about the "WHY" of being a learning leader and instructional supporter of your students. This is the human factor and it is essential for both learning and student success. Keep up the good work as you impact the lives of your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Dennis, Can't say too much about preparation and the need for it. With preparation like you mention the level of self confidence increases when in the classroom and this is observed by students. This increases their engagement and makes for a good learning environment. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Leonard, You make a good point about the need to be yourself when it comes to your instructional style. You can observe other instructors and attend different professional development activities and the incorporate all that you know into your style as it relates to the content and type of course you are teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Lee, Great to hear how the course has been of help to you. I wish you continued teaching success and that you will be able to impact the lives of your students as they move toward their career choices. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Jerry, There is so much that could be discussed about overcoming dyscalculia. This learning disability presents itself as you know in so many different ways so it is a challenge for instructors to determine what the processing challenge is and then bring meaning to the students in terms of math. I wish you continued success in this area and hopefully future students with such a disability will get early counseling and be able to redirect themselves into a career area that does not require math at this level. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Jerry, This is where I have arrived as well though I did some real in-depth reflecting during the process because I wanted and still want to reach everyone of them, even if impossible. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Jeffrey, As a new instructor you have a very clear idea of what it takes to engage and motivate students and I commend you for your insight. This is how student respect is earned and rapport developed. Continue using the activities that you are and you are going to do fine as an educator of merit. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Marshall, Great work on integrating the senses in learning about the different herbs and spices. You "read" the class and saw that they needed additional instructional input and you developed that input by providing the herbs and spices so they could see, smell, touch and taste them. With the slide presentation and the physical items you did a good job of blending semantic and episodic memory. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Louis, Students as you already know really perk up when a story from the field is shared. These stories increase the value of the content to the students as well as shows them relevance and application in relation to their career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Mary Ellen, Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. Your comments reflect your understanding of this so I know you are going to be able to introduce all kinds of activities into your instruction that will get and hold the attention of your students. You have many life experiences you can relate to your students in the content of the material being presented. These examples will help them to be engaged in what you are teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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