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

Vicki, Students love to hear stories about the field. These stories and examples help to reinforce the value of the content they are getting in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Adriel, Even though they are adults they need to be reminded over and over again about such requirements and upcoming due dates. You would think you wouldn't have to do such but you do as we all know. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Mary, This is a good way to hold the students accountable and reduces their saying "You didn't tell me." about some critical information. By signing off the accountability has shifted to them and it is up to them to use the information contained in the syllabus. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Natalie, I like class openings as well because it is fun to learn about them and their lives. We do an ice breaker which gets everyone settled into the class and after sharing some laughs during the introductions we have established a positive class climate. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Mary, Well said about the value of having a comfortable and supportive learning environment. Such as setting reflects that the instructor has gone to the effort to plan and prepare for the class and the learning that is going to occur within it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

MARISSA, Your last sentence is a good summary of why we have to work hard in providing the most up to date content in our courses. To do less is to cheat the students and when we cheat students we waste their time and money not mention that we are not being professional. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

John, In this case the industry has set the goals for your course for you. By using the industry standards you know where your students need to be at the end of the course and you can develop the instructional experiences to get them there. Throughout the course then it is a building process as knowledge is built upon knowledge. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Fernando, There is not a specific answer to your question. I like to blend the two forms of objectives. One part being a more global approach so students can see how the content can be transferred to other settings and the other part being content and skill acquisition within the specific class being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Elizabeth, This is what professional development should be about. Keep up the continual process of becoming aware of how you can be an even more effective and efficient instructor. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Natalie, How do you internalize these areas for instructional improvement? Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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