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

Making Your Expectations Clear

Jessica, Yes, it does and this way the students know they are being moved forward in their learning and getting closer to achieving the career goals they have set for themselves. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Jessica, Good way to balance your professionalism with the human factor so the students can see you as someone that cares about them and their success. This sets up a class dynamic that gets the course off to a good start. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

David, While this may appear to be common sense for many schools, the learning environment is often overlooked and as you say has a negative impact if it is not set up correctly and in a way that invites learning. The environment can become a major distraction if we let it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Jessica, This is good advice to give yourself as you are doing your instructional planning. When you ask the question about how you would like to be taught you will come up with ideas that can be translated into instructional steps. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Kimberly, Like this approach. It is fun and challenging and I am sure you come up with a lot of different shapes. Gets everyone on the same page and thinking about what it takes to become a problem solver. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Soneka, You make a number of very good points in relation to two elements that need to be a part of each instructor's approach to teaching. Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in generating student enthusiasm. Combine these elements with application strategies that help students to see application and relevancy and a win win situation has been created. This is when teaching is fun for all those involved. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Application of New Knowledge

Heather, This approach increases the value of the course content to the students. When they can hear and learn of examples of how the content can be applied they become more excited about what they are learning. Also, they start to see the relevancy of the course in relation to their career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Bliss, You use two key words in your comments - energy and fun. Both can be used to enhance learning and get the students excited about what is being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Lorin, Excitement is catching so the more of it you bring to class the more engaged your students are going to be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Lorin, Great list and I know these effort will get the students engaged and moving forward with their educational efforts. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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