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 Your Expectations Clear

Lennox, This is a very important part of getting students settled into the course. Knowing expectations, polices and requirements lets them know what it is going to take for them to be successful in the course. This reduces questions and frustrations because you have laid it out for them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Alan, Good method of reminding the students repeatedly about what is being accomplished in the course and what is coming next. Students need these types of reminders throughout the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Graham, This moving around is a good strategy for the reason you list. In addition, you are sending the message that you "own" the classroom and lab, meaning that the students can expect you to walk around and help them at their stations later on in the course. This is a good message to send from the very first day. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Alan, The more reality you can bring into the learning setting the more effective you are going to be in helping your students to see what and where they will be working when they complete their program. There is more to your field than just holding a fuzzy puppy and yet for many students that is all they can focus on. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Graham, Reality is missing in the career selection process of many students. Yes, the kitchen is hot that is why it is called cooking. Your comments made me smile because so many students have been watching too many cooking shows that do not show the reality of what a chef does. Another area is that of CSI. We have a lot of students going into criminal justice so they can be CSI specialists and solve weird crimes in one hour or less. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Lennox, Good point and something that instructors need to consider each time they prepare for class. Appealing to the different learning preferences of students is how engagement is going to occur. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Douglas, Good point and one students need to get from the beginning of their training. By being professional they are going to develop in their career so they need to see their instructor modeling the dress, language and behavior needed for career success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Karen, I teach a required gen ed course as well. I can relate to what you are saying because my students are there because they have to be and not because they see any value in what I am teaching. I work hard to bring relevance and application to what I teach and for most it works. There are still some that never become engaged and miss what I consider to be the real value of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Karen, You make a good point about the need to personalize and internalize the course content. This is how students will see the relevance of the course because they see how the content will help them to move toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

David, Well said and I agree that these two elements have to be present if students are going to be engaged. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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