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

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Joshua, Students really like stories like this because they show both application and relevancy to what they are learning. They get excited about how you worked through a situation because they can see themselves shortly being in the same situation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Khayyam, A well prepared syllabus outlining your policies, requirements and assignments is a start. Provide examples and samples of what you will and will not accept. Use a grading rubric that shows how points will be earned and lost on assignments. During the first class introductions let them know that this is your class and this is how you operate the class and that they cannot compare you and the course to previous courses or they will not meet the accepted criteria. Give back their first assignments with specific comments and notes to show them what you expect and by… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Khayyam, You are making the learning environment fun and supportive. Both are needed in order to get students engaged and focused on how they will fit into the course and what their opportunities for success are going to be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

John, Your first sentence is so important for instructors to remember. We have to make what we are teaching ours and personalize it even if it is standardized in terms of content. This gets us invested in the content and excited about teaching while we share the required content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Khayyam, Well described and implemented instructional style. This approach is comprehensive and leads to increased instructional effectiveness and student engagement. Thanks for sharing for instructional efforts with us. I know they will be of value to other instructors especially those just starting their teaching careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Alessandra, Well said in terms of how you describe a role model. We need to remember we are role models for our students in all that we do. As a result we need to be professional in everything we do both in and outside of the classroom. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Jonathan, I teach a general education course that is required for state certification. My job is to convince my students of the value of the content and how what they are learning can be used in their personal lives. It is such a great feeling when I am able to do that. I can appreciate where you are coming from with your course content. What you are teaching is so valuable in every setting so I wish you continued success in sharing the value of what you have to offer. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Jenny, You have outlined a ideal way to approach the classroom and learners. As the learning leader it is up to you to model the behavior wanted and engage the learners as a level that enables them to move forward in their career preparation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Caroline, Current events help to make the course content come alive. So the more you can do it the more your students will see application of the course content outside of the classroom. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Jenny, I think one of the big rewards of teaching is the development of rapport with students but yes, it can be difficult. We need to show our human side as educators, be supportive, be consistent and earn student respect. Once all of this is done the groundwork has been laid for the development of rapport and personal growth of the student. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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