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

Your Instructional Style

Jack, You are in a great position to gain insight into how to develop your own style because you are experiencing your instructors directly while teaching as well. You should gain some valuable growth during your time as an instructor/student. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Franco, Good points about how your instructional style unfolds as you gain experience. It is a growing experience for sure and one that we instructors need to expand as we develop in our expertise and confidence. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Stacey, Sounds like a great opportunity for you and your career development. I am excited for you in this new endeavor. By having gone to school there you are familiar with how the school functions and how students perceive the school. You have been where they are and you can help them see how what you are teaching will help them to be successful using yourself as an example. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Korey, This is such a critical part of the learning process. These are the soft skills that are needed for career success. By modeling them you are showing through example what the expectations are for the students as they develop in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Stefanie, What I have done in situations like this is to create a "reminder game" where when a student uses a layman term we let them know and then they lose points or if they use dental terms they earn points. It is a fun reminder for them to use the proper terms and the end result is that they start using the desired terms while having fun with the game. We never do the reminding in the presence of patients so we maintain our professional demeanor. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Elizabeth, Good definition and good way to run a learning environment. Thank for reminding us what professionalism should look like. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Geraldine, Your comments reflect many of the students we work with today. They do not want to develop or don't have the self discipline needed for career success. They want to receive an A in the class because they paid tuition. The examples we can share with them in terms of applications the more they will see the value of the content being shared and skills being developed. Some won't get it but the majority will and those will be successes we enjoy as teachers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Daneen, This is a very comprehensive definition of critical thinkers. With this approach your students are going to be able to go out into the field and be successful at working through problems. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Daniel, I think you will like the results you get from such an effort. You will increase the value of the course to and for your students by making the connections between their experiences and what is being covered in the course. I wish you much success in this effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Jeffrey, Right you are and the more we know about our students the more accurately we can provide support to them as needed. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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