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

James, This is essential and news to be at the beginning of the course to reduce student anxiety. Once the expectations are made clear then it is a building process from there throughout the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Ruth Ann, This is such a simple but highly effective way to get students settled into and feeling comfortable about the new class they are starting. This lays the foundation for engagement and respect. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

HAROLD, Well said. The first impression establishes you as the learning leader and also helps you to be the class manager. If you don't reflect a professional image then it won't be long before you will be tested by the students in terms of who is going to run the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Christine, I like your approach of having the students respond to you by emailing back an "Accept" notation. This holds them accountable for having received the content and enables you to refer to the syllabus when questions arise that involve students claiming they haven't been told about something. Holding them accountable is important for their career development because when they are in the work world they can't claim they didn't know they just have to perform no matter what. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

James, You make a good point about the value of a well prepared syllabus for students. This is the document from which the course is going to operate so the students need to see the value of the information listed and follow it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Joshua, Student centered teaching is where it is at. Just as you say a dynamic instructor can overcome environmental conditions if they are passionate about their field and dedicated to their students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Ruth Ann, Standardized courses are common in career colleges and so much of the developmental aspects of instructional planning are taken off the table for you. On the other hand you are personalizing the content through your method of tweaking it. The students need to see the course and the content as being yours even if it is standardized or they won't believe you believe in what you are teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Christine, I this background and developing knowledge is so important we plan for the type of support we will provide to and for our students. Information like this lets us customize to each student on an as needed basis. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

James, I wish you much success not only with your professional development plan but your teaching as well. You are impacting lives and that shapes how you approach the classroom each time you teach. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Ruth Ann, You are truly a life long learner as a result of your striving to improve your knowledge and expertise both as an educator as well as a contributor to your career field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

End of Content