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

Instructor Enthusiasm

ANNE, Well said in so many ways. Bringing passion about your field to the class and enthusiasm for teaching goes a long way in engaging students. Using examples and making applications brings value to the content and increases the motivation level of the students. This sets up a win win situation for everyone in the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Brenda, I think this is a very good discussion to have because even though your students are adults many of them don't realize that they do in fact have specific learning preferences. By talking about them and you sharing how the course is going to be taught they can gain some insight into how they can prepare and be successful in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Kathleen, This is an important part of the instructional process. The more connections you can make between the content and application the more value the students will associate with the course. This becomes their ROI and increases their motivation to learn the material. Good strategy, keep up the effort! Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Connie, I like your position on setting standards and then expecting the students to meet them. This is why the students are in the course for the first place. They are receiving instruction and working toward their career goals. If they do not meet the standards they will not be successful out in the workplace. You are the learning leader so you can model how you want the class to go. Having fun and being enthusiastic helps to get the students engaged in the course while moving them toward the course goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Trevor, Passion for one's field and enthusiasm about getting to teach it goes a long way in engaging students. Keep up what you are doing because it sounds like it is working well for you. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Trevor, Thank you for these comments and words of encouragement for this instructor. I know this individual appreciates how you have been able to engage the students that you are working with in a way that helps them move toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Thomas, I wish you much success in your teaching effort. You have a great outlook on teaching and how you are going to be able to impact the lives of your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Jon, I think you are right about students that enter the field of dentistry being more visual/spatial. This has been my experience anyway. Your strategy of mixing up instructional delivery and providing additional activities and supports that enable students to decode/recode content are going to pay off with enhanced learning. I wish you continued teaching success as of result of all your effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Jon, Good analysis of how concrete and abstract learning can fit into the instructional delivery process. Each has a place to play as knowledge is acquired and skills developed. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

John, Well said. Relevancy is in the minds of all of the students or it should be at least. Relevancy is the reason they are in the class so they need to be shown how the content can be applied and how it helps them to move toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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