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

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Mike, Multiple intelligences is how we internalize and process information. Each of us sees information in a different way so if we know within larges groupings (the multiple intelligence categories) we then can structure our communication with students in ways that help them acquire the information and internalize it in their working memory for use late on. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

May-Lin, Thank you for sharing these class openers with us. Sounds like a good time for the students and well as very informative. You are giving them a lot of connection points through the questions you ask them and the information they sharing. I know these approaches will be valuable for other instructors to use. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Nelia, The more you can replicate the work environment that your students will be entering the easier their transition to employment is going to be. You are helping them to see that the steps and procedures they are being taught are the ones they will have to follow when in the field if they are going to be in compliance. This is such an essential part of their training and you are helping them to get it embedded into their memory banks. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

May-Lin, Rapport is for me a reward for our teaching. We start a new group of students and earn their respect. Once we earn their respect we start to develop rapport with them as they gain additional knowledge and skill in the field. I just finished a class last night and it was such a great class with great rapport. I already miss them and know that I have to start this process over again with my new class and will feel the same way about it when it is completed. This is what I think keeps us instructors coming… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Chris, I agree about the enjoyment aspect of teaching and learning. Learning as it has been defined by one person "is like taking a drink out of a firehose". A lot of information flowing at a fast pace but with humor, enthusiasm and engagement from the instructor each student can take from the classes the needed information and skills. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

May-Lin, Thank you for sharing your college classroom experiences in your comments. They made me pause and think about my own college career and think about how much I enjoyed certain professors because I knew that he or she was going to share something valuable with me that day. On the other hand I had several professors that I think had died behind their desk but no body and bothered to check their pulse. Those were long and painful classes. It is so much more fun to be excited about teaching and sharing. This excitement spreads throughout the class. Gary… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Jennifer, Your last sentence says it all. If we have passion for our field and are excited about teach our content it will spread to our students. We need to come into each class prepared and ready to share so our students will know that they are being taught by a dedicated professional. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Chris, You make a good point because it does not take long for the word to get around about a course or an instructor. It is important for the school and the instructors to work together to develop a unified effort in student support so the students will see that each instructor is striving to help each student be successful if that student will put forth the needed effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Veronica, This check for understanding approach helps you to see what the students are learning and gives them an idea of what they need to work on to further their knowledge in an area. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Justin, Your last sentence really captures what we are doing in our classes. It amazes me when students use some of the information that has been shared in class in their lives outside of class. When what they have been taught helps them they come back to school surprised that what is being taught can actually be used in real life. The get so focused on passing the course they forget they are being taught content and skills that will help them with their careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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