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.

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Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Kenisha, Students like change of pace and variety and you are offering both through your approach. They are being given the foundational information and then applying it. This is what sequential and relevant learning should be about. Keep up the good work. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Diana, Great self evaluation to use as you get ready to start a new class. By answering this question you will be setting the stage for an engaging and exciting class to come. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Kenisha, Well said and such an important part of getting a new class off to a good start. I am starting two new courses this Wednesday and I am excited about the introductions, ice breakers and impressions that everyone is going to be a part of and interact with. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

SHIVA, Good point because there always seems to be several students that claim "they don't know", "weren't told" or "lost the assignment sheet". This way they have been given a copy of the syllabus and they have been informed of the requirements. From there on it is a matter of reminding them that they certain things due or a quiz coming and they need to be prepared. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

SHIVA, I agree and we need to see the environment through the eyes of our students. When we do we will work to make sure we have a clean safe and comfortable place to teach and they learn. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Diana, Right you are. This is an important part of the total interactive instructional process for both instructor and students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

SHIVA, I use a "course requirement" sheet as well to support the syllabus. I do because the one page handout lists the course requirements (projects and quizzes) that are covered in-depth in the syllabus. I find as do the students this extra reminder a good way to get them focused on the course requirements plus can see the due dates and points assigned to each item. Just another reminder that students need and appreciate. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Ward, Good advice concerning sources that are used to support research that is being done. Also, you make a very good point about how we educators need to see ourselves as life long learners because if we are to stay current in our field and offer the latest instructional delivery models then we must continually seek knowledge. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Deb, You are using a variety of "best practices" in your approach. Students like change of pace and activities that let them make applications of what they have just learned. The more opportunities like this you offer them the greater their content retention is going to be. Keep up the good work that you are doing through your instructional delivery. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

John, Like your last sentence because it really reflects what being a teacher is all about. You are giving technical content to your students to enable them to problem solve. So as you say it takes collective thinking and varied experiences to come up with solutions to why a machine is not working and what it takes to get the machine back online. You are also a student centered instructor because you are right everybody does bring something to the learning environment. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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