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

Being Successful in College

Judith, There is a saying that goes along with this strategy. It is "To teach is to learn twice, once as a student and again as a teacher". By having them teach one of the chapters you are fulfilling this saying for your students. Their retention of the content is going to increase as a result of this effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Michael, Good strategy as this helps to build their confidence while they grow in their knowledge of the content. This way you can really get an accurate picture of what they have learned by the end of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Implementing Relevant Course Content

Ed, You raise a good point about relevancy for students. I teach a gen ed required course as well. The students have to pass it to receive their state certification. They view the course as a hurdle to jump, climb over, crawl under or somehow survive and pass. Taking the approach that you do I try to show them how the course content has every day applications and can actually help them in life. Some get it and others just grind through it. Makes me sad with the latter bunch since I enjoy teaching the content a lot and have… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Ed, This strategy does work because by knowing why they are in the course beyond that it is required will tell you a lot about the factors that motivate such students. It is one of those situations where the more you know the more support you can give. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Charles, A great list of ways to serve as a role model to and for our students. By being consistent in your behavior, actions, dress and conduct you will help your students to see the value of the course in relation to helping them move closer to their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Analytical Skills

Calleen, You make a very good point about the need for guided questions. This format helps students to gain confidence as they learn how to respond to the questions and then develop proposed solutions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Eliza, Right you are about the need for consistency. Without it the students will not know what to expect and the course will start falling apart. As the learning leader you bring passion for your field, enthusiasm for teaching about it and consistency in action. This is a combination that enhances learning for the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

John, Well said. If you show you are passionate about your field and excited about teaching then you have a combination that will engage your students and enhance their learning. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Reflective Thinking

Melville, I did not know specially where such resources might be located but I do know I spend time looking at websites in the elementary and secondary areas for ideas of how to craft such questions. There are numerous suggestions that are made on these websites. I take their ideas and suggestions and then make the age appropriate and shape the questions around my content and come up with the questions I want to ask of and leave with my students for the next session of class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Jude, Thank you for sharing your experience with us because it illustrates that these types of teaching assignments do happen and that with effort the challenges of the course can be overcome. You did by soliciting feedback from your students on an ongoing basis and made the adaptations needed to keep the course on target and moving forward. I commend you for your effort and the impact you made on your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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