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

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Fernanda, Your last sentence put this concept together in a great way. They need to see how the parts become the whole through the words they learn, content they student and skills they develop. This is what engaged learning should be about. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Andrea, When you share these stories you are increasing the value of the content you are offering your students because they get to see through these stories both the application and relevancy of what you are teaching. This is why they are so important to share. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Andrea, Well said because at times you will be completely wrung out when you complete a class. The students do dip into your energy bucket so we need to step back and REFOCUS at times to make sure remain at the top of our game. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Doris, Many of us have been there over our teaching careers. We need to not become overwhelmed because if we do then we are going to lose our effectiveness with our students. It is a challenge though just as you mention because it seems we having to do so much more with so much less in terms of support and dollars. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Andrea, You have a very comprehensive and supportive approach to your method of starting a new course. This way each student can see how he or she will be able to contribute to the course as well build their self confidence as they gain in their knowledge base. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Implementing Relevant Course Content

Jeff, Application and relevancy are two very powerful parts of the learning process. The more you can show both the more value students will associate with the content and this increases their motivation levels. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

BRENDA, Good way to get them settled into the course and feel comfortable with how the course is going to operate. They also get to express what their expectations are and then together you all can move forward in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Jamie, So true. Without a clear understanding of the goals and objectives of the course students get very nervous and frustrated. No way to start a new course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Kenneth, Assessments like this along with the model for problem solving are very valuable for students to know about and use. Knowing the problem solver style such as the innovator or adaptor goes a long way in understanding how a person is going to approach the problem solving process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Reflective Thinking

Kenneth, As a young person on our farm my father would tell me we need some "walking around time" when we were faced with a problem to solve. By stepping back and reflecting on the problem and the possible solutions he with my input how ever little it might have been was able to come up with a solution. Rather plunging right into the situation a little reflection will go a long way moving closer to the desired results. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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