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

Aiko, Good approach. As the learning leader you set the standard for the class. By creating an idea that the students are a part of the learning community you help them see themselves as a part of the team. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Kola, I use pretesting in all of my courses for the reasons you list. I get a baseline on each of my current classes and then I can target my instructional content and delivery around the data I get. Helps with keeping the class moving forward at a pace that includes everyone. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Kola, I am convinced there is a Bermuda Triangle of Memory Retention for college students. This triangle is where information from the instructor about due dates and project requirements goes to die or stay in a vacuum forever. Fourth graders remember better than some college students when something is due. The syllabus, timeline handout, reminders on the board and announcements are all required to help the students remember than next Wednesday a project is due or a test is going to be given. It truly is selective hearing at the highest level. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Susan, This is a good strategy to follow. It is almost impossible to go the other way so start firm and then loosen up as needed. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Rochelle, You are on the right track with your real life examples. Something you might want to explore would be the use of case studies. I use them a lot in class because the students really like to read case studies, propose solutions and then see if their solutions fit how the problem was resolved. The mystery of it appeals to them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Michele, What a great compliment you are being paid for all of your effort. I wish you continued teaching success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Michele, Making it real for the students is so valuable in the learning process. Your approach is doing that since you are expanding the application of what they are learning beyond just the class and applying it to themselves. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Aiko, We have to lead by example if we are going to earn the respect of our students. If we are not good examples then we will not be able to move our student forward in their learning nor develop rapport with them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Richard, Flailing seems to be the most common approach today for many students. They don't want to take the time to develop skills that will help them to be problem solvers, they just want to google something and call it good. You make a number of very good points in relation to how students need to proceed with their critical thinking development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Richard, Good caution in relation to questioning and what it may get you. It did make Socrates famous even if the end result wasn't that great. If we can help our students to develop the ability to think through situations and look for alternatives and not be overwhelmed by verbage, such as ads then we will have a great service for them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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