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

Harpreet, Thank you for your explanation of how a well developed instructional style can engage students and get them focused on what is being taught. Finding balance in one's instructional style is important so the human factor can come through just as you mention. Keep up the good teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Patricia, Great definition of professionalism. This is what brings value to what we are doing as educators. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Reflective Thinking

Rhodri, Like your example of fly fishing and how it can apply to reflective thinking. You make a very good point about how the thinker needs to reflect on the problem and then propose a solution. By reflecting you can spend time figuring out what is hatching and then select a fly that matches that hatch. Otherwise you are just exercising your arm with each cast because the fish are not biting on what you are sending their way. I wish you continued success in both teaching and fishing. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

Dawn, Glad to hear about the value you see in using graphic organizers. They are helpful for student that are need of developing their note taking skills. As you mention once they get the system down their confidence soars and they don't have to depend on the organizers quite as much. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Dawn, You have a very good understanding of how you can help students manage class behavior. The rules are their rules so they will have value to them and their expectations will be that everyone will follow them. The pretest gives you information about your students and the experiences they are bringing to class as well as helping them become familiar with how you construct your tests. This is a win win for everyone. I wish you success using the pretest format. I think you are going to like the results you get. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Ted, I think this is such an important strategy to follow for the reasons you list. You are helping them to connect their previous life experiences with the current course content. Sometimes students don't see that connection so they don't value what they are being taught and how they can use the information in their careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Terry, This is a good method to follow because it shows you value the experiences your students bring to class. This is the foundation for respect. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Terry, Yes, you do. What are some ways you work at engaging your students? Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Terry, Yes, it is because when you have this information you are able to customize your instructional delivery more accurately for the current group of students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Jon (Jack), Right you are. Learners like variety in the instructional delivery as well as change of pace. So the more of both you can introduce the more you will have them engaged. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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