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

Student Motivation Factors

Paul, Having been a teacher educator for a many years I have seen many different fads come and go in relation to instructional strategies and deliveries. I can appreciate your comments about the fact that the mentors do not prepare lesson plans yet require them of their students. Direct observation as you mention is an excellent way to get an accurate picture of how teachers are doing in their classes. Feedback from these observations really enhance the growth of teachers as well as increase their effectiveness. I also encourage my teachers in training to get feedback from their students throughout… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Paul, Thank you for your input on how educators should practice their profession in terms of expectations and requirements. I direct the Cadre for Human Resource Development at a major land grant university. The Cadre strives to do what you are proposing in that we prepare teachers in foundational educational principles and learning and as they move toward their upper level courses we tailor the content to reflect the learning needs of the student population they are interested in teaching. This eliminates the one size fits all and gives them opportunity to develop knowledge and skills targeted for the students… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Paul, You ask a great question that to date has not been answered by the field. Much research and effort still needs to be extended to find a valid and accurate way of measuring teacher effectiveness. In many cases it seems that volume (number of pages) is the method used for measuring effort such as in your 6-10 page lesson plans. My question would be since you seem to feel that your time as been wasted in your teacher preparation classes and your MFA practicum and that educational leaders do not have a realistic understanding of how to facilitate the… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Erica, Your last sentence really puts everything in perspective. Student rapport is such a great connection between the instructor and the students. This is when teaching is really a lot of fun and you have a great feeling about the impact you are having on the lives of your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Implementing Relevant Course Content

Mercedes, This is a great approach because it is student centered, in that you are using their input to shape how you are going to add additional content in the course. By building on their life experiences you are giving value to them as individuals and they will respect you for this. With respect earned you and your students will move to the development of rapport between and among yourselves and this is where expanded learning will occur. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Scott, So true and it is so much easier to build upon a positive impression rather than trying to correct a negative one. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Jay, Good plan to follow as it seems that when you observe another instructor you seem to always pick up something you can use or at least that is what happens to me. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Scott, Great way to make the connection between the classroom and the real world. The more students experience this connection the better because their transition to the workplace will be that much easier and their success path made more clear. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Susan, Good strategy to use because it involves some cooperation and sharing which students will need when they are in the workplace plus it helps them to build confidence in their abilities as problem solvers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Susan, I agree because the bulk of students do not seem to have an understanding of the steps needed to think critically nor problem solve. By being a role model for them you can help them create their own strategies for becoming problem solvers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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