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

Your Instructional Style

Amanda, Good for you because as you say this is good training for when they will be out in the workplace and are not able to have access to their phones. This also sends a message as to why you do not allow cell phones in your class. You are using the same standard that will be enforced when they are in an ICU setting. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Amanda, This is a great way to reinforce your message to students since other students with experience in these areas are supporting what you are saying. This helps to increase the value of your message and increases their engagement in the learning process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

James, This is good information for students to have so they can see that they have in their instructor a person that has both knowledge and experience. This establishes you as the learning leader and as a result the students will be looking to you as you share with them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

James, What are some strategies you use to encourage interaction? Thanks for you input on this. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Susan, I think you are right about the influence that an instructor's perspective, passion and zeal on the learning efforts of students. If we show that we are excited about having the opportunity to teach about our field student enthusiasm will be there. Learning will be fun, student engagement will be high and everyone will benefit from being in the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Susan, Right you are and by using these different resources the students can stay current with their status in the course. These grade book platforms provide so much information to students, a long way from the green grade book that a teacher carried every where and was constantly putting absences, points and grades in it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Lilly, I have found that many students have "selective hearing" when it comes to objectives, projects and due dates. So the more you can review these requirements with them the better. This helps to keep everyone aware of expectations on a regular basis. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Karin, I believe the same in relation to the need for a positive first impression. It is the foundation upon which future course sessions are built so we need to plan and deliver an engaging first class session each and every time. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Eric, Making connections between the course content and their future is a good way to increase the value of your course in the minds of your students. The more value they see in the course content the more engagement they will have and the result will be student focus and increased learning. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Eric, Good reminder because you are right. We cannot let down or the energy of the class will be lost and this loss will impact the engagement and focus of students. When they start to wear down it is time to introduce something new or exciting and ramp them back up. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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