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

Effective Motivation Techniques

Gina, In addition to your strategies something I use in my larger classes (50-70 students) are name tents. I have the students put their names on 5X7 cards and fold them so they will set up for easy observation. I give them felt markers to write with and them them use different colors to write their names. A few classes meetings with the name tents really help cue me. I use your other strategies as well but I find with over 300 students each session I need all of the visual cues I can get to remember their names. Gary… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Gina, As I teach five sections of the same course I can relate to your comments. I do as you do and try to introduce new information and activities in each of the sections so I remain fresh and excited about what I am teaching no matter how many I have taught the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Marcia, Well said. Trust, respect and rapport are all important elements of helping students to have success in the classroom and lab. The more you can demonstrate your caring the more powerful the connection there will be to the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Stephen, Bring your years of experience and understanding of how to relate to individuals to the class and you will do fine. Humans of all ages relate to someone that cares about them as individuals and is there to help them be successful. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Diana, This is so important if you are going to keep the attention of students and have them engaged in the learning process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Crystal, This is such a good way to keep students engaged. Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery and you are providing such with this method. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Angela, This is such an important way to open a new course. This way the students know what they are expected to do and what will be done to help them learn the required content and skills. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Theresa, Good way to get a read on your students and then do your instructional planning. This way your content will be customized to their needs. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Angela, They really do. These stories give application and relevance to the content being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Theresa, As you know from your teaching experience students need to have repeated information. So the more ways you can present it to them the better. Talking about the day's plans, goals and objectives, listing them on the board, giving a handout with them are all ways to reinforce what is going to be taught and what the expectations of the students are. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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