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

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Sharon, I support your position big time because our students need to realize that we take their preparation seriously. The reason we offer the content we do as well as the skill development is to prepare them to be top quality professionals in our field. To expect anything less than the best is to be unfair to our field and our customers/patients. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Kimberly, I use case studies a lot in my classes as well. I find that they help to get students involved in the class content and discussing why they came up with the conclusions they did. You are right about the patience factor and the need to help students to see the value of self discipline when it comes to critical thinking and problem solving. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Daniel, Thank you for sharing your strategies for reaching the different learning preferences of your students. Good plan and one I know your students appreciate as they work through the various aspects of course content and application. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Muhammad, Students like stories from the field because they help the content to come alive and have application to their studies. Stores are good motivators for students, so keep sharing them on a regular basis. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Amanda, Thank you for sharing your observation and experience concerning the role model you want to be. Your class with the unhappy and non-motivated instructor has served you well because to do have someone to compare to and you know for sure you were and are not going to be "that guy". Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

DAVID, Yes, it does take a lot of energy. I teach from 4 until 10 pm and my students have just gotten off work as well. They are tired so I need to do a lot of things to ramp up the energy level and keep them excited about learning for the duration of the class session. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Jude, This informal approach is good because it projects the "human factor" to students. As their learning leader you are there to shape and direct their learning and you can do this with your interaction with them so they know you care about them and their success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Jude, I support your use of portfolio assessments. I think they are much more reflective of what has been learned and if the student know how to use the new information and/or skill. Functional assessment targets individual growth and shows where additional time needs to be spent to expand the learning base of students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Daniel, Like the way you explain learning for your students. You are so right. Getting the bulb to come on is step one and then keeping it on is step two. This is where application and relevance needs to come into play in relation to class activities and projects. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Darryl, Great way to make your content come alive for your students while giving value to it as well. This is what will help sell your content to your students. You are giving them a glimpse on what is waiting for them upon graduation and this is a great motivator as you say. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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