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

Making Your Expectations Clear

Chris, Thank you for sharing this well developed list of how to share course expectations with students. The more answers that are given at the beginning of the class the quicker the students can focus on the learning that is going to occur in the coming sessions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Kristopher, You are going to do great because you are doing the necessary planning and preparation. When your first class rolls around go into it feeling confident. Open the class with introductions and an ice breaker. While these activities are going on you will get a feel of the class and comfortable with being the learning leader. From there on it is a matter of expanding your knowledge and expertise as an educator while sharing your passion with your students about what you are teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Kristopher, Good point about early and comprehensive planning. With good planning comes the opportunity to focus on the student while in class because you know what you are going to do and have planned on how the content will be presented. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Chris, So right and so important in establishing a positive learning environment for the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Travis, I like your use of the word "career" because it truly is one. We as instructors have to be life long learners if we are to remain at the top of our game in terms of content and instructional delivery. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Frances, This is very important if we are going to have input from all students. They need to know they will be respected as individuals for what they contribute even if there is a difference of opinion among the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Robert, I agree and this is why I think we need to make this a priority in the first few class meetings. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Frances, Yes, it does. An instructor needs to bring passion for his/her field and enthusiasm for teaching it each time the class meets. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Robert, Right you are. If you are not excited about what you are teaching it is for sure your students won't be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Julie, Yes, students do like to hear stories from their field. These stories help to make the course content real for them as as motivating them to learn as much as they can because they soon will be in the field and acquiring stories of their own. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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