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

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Roberto, This approach helps the students to expand their knowledge base and realize how they are progressing as well as what they need to work on. It is a part of educational growth. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Asha, Thank you for these good points about how to start a course off and what to share with the students in terms of goals, objectives and evaluations. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Chad, I think this is an important use of class time. The information you impart and image you project during this time sets the tone for the upcoming class plus as you say it is motivational because the students get to hear what they are going to be doing in the course. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Romana, You have a well developed syllabus for your course and the signature sheet will reinforce to the students that you think the content in the syllabus is important and critical for them to know. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Melissa, This method of starting a class is powerful and sends a very clear message to the students. They see you as a professionally dressed caring instructor that is looking forward to teaching the course. It is a matter of building from there and this a great foundation upon which to build. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Frank, A supportive approach to helping other instructors integrate new content and/or delivery methods into there courses is needed. As long as they don't feel threaten the generally will cooperate and become part of the change effort. Also, if you can give them examples of how their classes will go better if they participate generally gets them involved. Some instructors never change and end their careers using the same content and tests they started with and for this group I am truly sad. Teaching is so much fun and the fact that we are impacting lives should motivate us to… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Roberto, Good point and something we need to do on an ongoing basis to keep our students engaged. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Bobbie, There is no one best format. I would look at the syllabi being used in your college and among your colleagues and see if you can find a format that fits what you want to communicate in your syllabi. Then I would borrow that format and you will be good to go. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Bobbie, Not real clear about your question. You want to make your syllabus clear and concise with information that covers the policies, expectations and rules of your class. With a goal(s) and objectives listed in the front your students will know what you plan to cover and accomplish during the class. From there it is a matter of building a sequence of learning steps. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Romana, This is an essential step because without it the students won't know where the class is headed. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

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