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

Students as Class Members

Jennifer, I do to and my students really have fun during these review times. Also, I get a very clear picture of how they have retained the material through the answers they give during these games. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Paula, This is why I use a lot of small group work in my classes. The results are great not only in terms of production but the human interactions as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

David, Your last sentence sends a message instructors need to remember. It is the first and only time our students will be in our class. We need to remember that and make each class session exciting and rewarding for our students. If we do we are going to have rewarding learning experiences with our students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Curt, So true and so important in terms of engaging students. If we bring passion for our field and the content we will be sharing to the class each time it meets the students will respect our efforts. If we bring passion and enthusiasm for teaching about our field we have a winning combination for student learning and growth. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Ana, An instructor needs to bring two things to class each time it meets--passion for the field and enthusiasm for teaching about it. If either one is missing it will be a very long class session for both the instructor and students. Remember when we had such professors in college? It seemed that each class session lasted for days maybe even weeks when it really only run one hour. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Paula, This is the human factor in teaching so the more we know about our students the easier it will be to build that connection. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Ana, This is so important in terms of getting the students settled into the course and feeling a part of the learning community. By doing this you are settling them into the class and helping them to see the value of the content that is going to be shared and the competencies that will be acquired. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Rollin, Sharing stories like this are valuable to the students because they keep them interested in the class while learning about thing to do and not to do when they are in the field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Diana, Yes it will. It is the foundation upon which the rest of the course will be built. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Curt, Variety is essential in keeping students engaged as you mention. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I can relate to your comments and the strategies you offer your students. It is tough to keep the focus of students after they have worked all day and for six hours. It does take a lot planning to keep the course moving forward and the students seeing the value of the content that is being offered. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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