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

The Learning Environment Effect

Johndrea, So true. Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. The more you can do this the greater the opportunity for them to work within their learning preferences. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Alan, Your discussion about the value of rapport is a good one since student rapport for me is one of the rewards of teaching. Knowing I am connecting with my student and that they are acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for career development is a real motivator for me. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Thomas, Three very good ways to demonstrate your professionalism to your students. Thanks for sharing this list with us. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Brenda, Passion for one's field and excitement about teaching the content within it are two elements needed for student engagement. You are right on with your strategies for showing enthusiasm to students so they to will be enthused about the learning opportunities being presented. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasoning as a Resource

Beverly, This is how content becomes real for students. By using their critical thinking skills they are solving a design problem. These kinds of experiences are what will help them to be successful once they are out on their own and face these kinds of problems on a regular basis. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

Andrew, This is a great idea for illustrating to students how the parts of the ignition module come together. I am sure by using these maps your students have a more graphic picture in their minds of how the ignition system works. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Alan, Your students are fortunate to have such a set up because this approach helps them to get settled into the school and their program. This way as they start a new course everything is not new to them and they can focus on what they need to do to be successful in the class in which they are enrolled. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Debra, You make a key point about setting up the class in a way that will capture their interest and get them wanting to keep coming to class. This takes some planning and effort but it is worth it when you see that the students get it and are moving forward in their career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Christina, You have sound instructional strategies that you are using. As students are so varied I can appreciate the fact that it works with some and for others it doesn't. This is one of the challenges we educators have. No matter the situation though we need to always strive to present our professional best in a way that will engage students at some level. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Karen, You might try blending the two by creating case studies out of the cases you see at your office. This way they are gaining real life experiences while using the coursework to solve the problem presented in the case study. This should reduce the concern students have that the examples are taking away from the coursework. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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