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

Timberly, Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success in the classroom. You have laid out a good plan for yourself and how you are going to expand your expertise as an educator. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Sean, Thank you for these comments about student rapport. You are right on with your definition of what rapport is and how it operates. We need to remember that we often make as great impact on our students when we talk with them in the halls as we do in class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Ren, Your field is based upon taking risks and putting one's self out there. If they don't take risks or share then they will have nothing against which to measure their success and future opportunities. Your approach helps them to overcome some of those hesitations. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Marvin, Good strategy to follow. The more comfortable they feel the more settled they will be in the course. As a result they will be more likely to contribute to the discussions and interactions that come with the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Lamarr, Students need to feel accepted and comfortable in the class. If they don't there will be a big disconnect between them and the instructor. Also, there will be the lack of respect in both directions and this can lead to a very tense situation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Oscar, Good point and one that reinforces the value of having a well planned first day of class. Through introductions and ice breakers everyone can get settled into the course and have some comfort with how the course is going to proceed. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Kevin, I am a big fan of using guest speakers and supportive material. Both of these resources help the students to see the value of the content and how it can be applied to their career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Peggy, Right you are about the need to inform students about polices, expectations and rules of the class via a well prepared syllabus. By having a well prepared syllabus we reduce student frustration and concern since they have the information in front of them for their review. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Tracey, Very good analysis of how instructors can increase their effectiveness with their students. They do need to be flexible and adaptative in their instructional approach. Garyf Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

David, This is so important in the development of students. They need to understand and be able to observe how they should conduct themselves in their career area. By doing so their transition to the workplace with be much easier. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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