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

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Emily, You make a number of very good points about how to get to know student better and what the outcome will be by knowing more about these students. By getting to know them you are also displaying the human factor as an educator and this is something that your students need to see from you early in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Kayla, Either the first of second class meeting will work. I generally do my assessment the second since the first class meeting I do introductions, and ice breaker and then review the syllabus. By this time my students are starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. So the next class meeting I start off with the learning preference assessment. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Megan, Good way to get the students involved quickly in a new course. You are asking them to reflect on what they want out of the course and this gets them engaged from the very beginning of the new course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Dawn, We have standardized syllabi so for my courses I prepare a supplemental handout where I list items that I am requiring, am going to cover or any other information like that that I want my student to have. This way I have used the standardized version yet am able to insert my own personality into the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Geneva, Good way to get student feedback as well as make instructional improvements. Instructional improvement is an ongoing process for sure. Each time we teach a course we need to try and bring something new to the course as well as make sure we are offering the most current content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Kayla, I ask my students right away because their responses give me an idea of how realistic their aspirations are as well as any misperceptions they may have about the field. Gives me a great starting point upon which to build my instructional content and delivery. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Dawn, Good way to model expectations for your students. For many student you may be the first professional they have met and worked with in their field. So by dressing, speaking and conducting yourself in a professional way you are reflecting the standards of your field for them. You have set the standard of expectation they need to strive to meet. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Analytical Skills

Paul, Confidence goes a long way in helping with decision making. Your point about the guiding a student is a very important point to remember because we are helping to shape their future as a result of the influence we have on them in class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Jean Claude M, Sounds like a comprehensive and varied instructional delivery format. I am sure your students stay engaged as a result of the variety of experiences you are offering them in your courses. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Andrea, The two words that need to be a part of our instructional planning are relevancy and application. You have captured both in your title and I know you make them a part of your instructional delivery. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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