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 a Positive First Impression

Michael, You got that right. I can't imagine what a class would be like where the first impression was a negative one and then trying to get them back into a positive mode for the class. Better to prepare and engage them at the first meeting. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Holly, The use of a signed contract sends a very clear message to students about the value you place on the content in the syllabus. It also says they have read the document and that they are aware of the contents. This gives you a backup when students such as the one you mention says they were not told about an upcoming due date for a project. Reduces many questions and puts more ownership on the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Michael, This is a good point that you make about the syllabus. It is the guide for the course to come and should answer the majority of questions that students have about policies, requirements and expectations. As such it is a contract between you and your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Kelsey, Yes it really does. Being in the lab and doing things helps the students to make application of what is being taught while they are seeing the relevancy of the content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Andrea, We need to see the learning environment through the eyes of our students. When we see it this way we will work to make it a pleasant and comfortable place for them to come. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Kelsey, Glad to see you have a professional development plan that is working for you. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Andrea, This is a good way to be the learning leader for your students. By being a model they can emulate you are helping them to see where they will be upon completion of their program. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Andrea, Student feedback is important because it helps us to improve our instructional skills while giving them a feeling of importance in relation to the value they bring to the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Andrea, So true because they are the reason we are there. This is why student centered instruction has to be our primary goal. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Wendy, I like and use this approach because knowing they can fail and learn from it really helps students to grow in their critical thinking abilities. We use zip lock bags of Legos to do brainstorming and problem solving development. You are right about the laughs part because the students come up with some real interesting objects and applications with their Lego projects. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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