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

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Thomas, This is so important. When you know how your students process information you then can build an instructional strategy that will appeal to their different learning preferences and keep them focused on their knowledge acquirement. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Ruth, Learners like variety and change of pace. By doing both you are helping to touch upon the different learning preferences of the students that are in the course. This way all of them have an opportunity to become engaged in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Thomas, That should get their attention. Graphics like this really make an impression in their minds and moves safety to the front of their thinking as they get ready to move into the course. Good strategy. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Richard, Like the way you cover all of the bases in your introduction to the new course. This helps to get the students settled in and feeling comfortable about what it takes to be successful in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Ruth, To me this is the only way to approach a new course. Students need to know exactly what the policies, expectations and requirements are for the course and all of these items need to be spelled out in the syllabus. This reduces student frustration and questions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Thomas, I agree with you about the students eating instructors alive that are not prepared. It seems that students live for this moment. When you are prepared you have confidence and this expands to encompass the students as well. It is so much easier to face a class when you know you are ready than stand there trying to think of something to say to them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Richard, Relevancy and application are two elements that students strive to have in their courses. When you can offer both through your instruction and activities you have increased the value and satisfaction of the course to the students. You are on the right track with your efforts. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Daphne, Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching it are two elements needed for instructional as well as learner success. You make a good point about the value of both. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Jeanne, I think this is a very good way to give your students extensive experience in problem solving. I use case studies a lot in my classes because working through them gives the students good experience plus they are low risk. Even if they get the solution wrong they still learn from the effort that was put into coming up with the proposed solution. Also, by using case studies the students get to see how the case was managed and the problem solved so they get to see the outcome and learn from that as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Philippe, I think this is a great idea because you are letting them use their skills and knowledge to be creative. If they have a solid foundation then this assignment should be no problem to them, if not they are going to be challenged and this is as it should be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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