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

Nicole, A big thing is observation. Observe your students and watch to see those that do best when visuals are offered, those that learn through listening, etc.. Also, there are many easy to use and free learning preference assessments available on the internet that you can administer to get a profile of your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Nichelle, Way to go in keeping your professional development moving forward. This is what being a professional educator should include as you expand your knowledge and expertise to more effectively communicate and engage students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Patricia, I think you will gain a lot from sitting in on these sessions. The more observations you have the more knowledge you will have to incorporate additional teaching techniques into your instruction. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Tonya, A simple technique that yields big dividends when interacting with students. By listening and staying focused on them you are giving them respect while earning theirs. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Tonya, You have a great attitude about your field and I know your passion for it spreads into the classroom. As a result your students are going to catch this passion and make it a part of their own as they prepare to enter the field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Rassiel, This is why instructors need to get to know their students and then deliver instruction in a number of different ways so the students can use their different learning preferences to acquire the content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Richard, You make a good point about changing the tempo of the class. Learners like variety and change of pace in instructional delivery and following your strategy this will happen. This lets the students "reset" their minds and stay engaged throughout the duration of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Tonya, You are so right about ice breakers and the value they have in getting a course off to a good start. They help students to interact with and get to know other students while everyone including you the instructor gets to know each other a little better. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Tonya, You make a number of very good points about the impact of the environment on learning. As you teach both skin care and relaxation you are reading the setting a an even higher level to make sure it is properly set to assist your students in the learning process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Richard, Right you are. Having a feeling of comfort with the instructor is important for students as they get settled into a new course. This starts the development of respect and rapport which are foundational to course success for both students and instructors. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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