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

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Aprilyn, Your comments are right on in terms of how to get students engaged and focused on being critical thinkers and problem solvers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

Katie, They are learning guides and can be very valuable for students especially those that may not be the best note takers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

Sudarshan Daniel, Right you are because the more senses and tactile engagement there is the greater retention of content there will be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Katie, It is so important for them to see value in what is being offered. Your comments illustrate how we need to make sure they see not only the value but also the relevancy to what is being taught. If they don't many of them will leave. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Mindy, I think this is a great strategy to follow. Your use of the 4th grade math level gives you an idea of their skill levels but is low enough for them to have some success in recalling basic math principles. This helps to get the students thinking about math in a way that they probably haven't for many years. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Katie, I really like the way you balance the different learning methods in your course. This way you are reaching all of the students' learning preferences at different times throughout the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Mindy, Yes, it does take some work and planning but the results are worth it. When you know you have nailed it and that your students have really gotten the information you shared you have such a great feeling. This is the feeling that brought you into teaching in the first place and it is great when you can capture that feeling on a regular basis. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Katie, You are approaching your students with strategies that enable them to see relevancy and make applications. This is what your field is about and you are helping your students to be better prepared when they enter the field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Mindy, You have the "makes things interesting" part right. This is one of the challenges in teaching. We often have to make adjustments and take new directions as a result of the students we have or schedules that have changes. As you say keeps things interesting so it is for sure we won't become bored. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Adam, Good point about helping the students to increase their energy and excitement about what they are being taught. Through positive reinforcement you are showing them the value of what is being offered in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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