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

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Bruce, This is a very practical assignment that enables students to use their knowledge and skills in a variety of ways. The real life approach you use helps them to see how their skills are going to be used in the future. Great project and preparation concept. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Increasing Student Retention

Hi Sheila, Your college has good support for its' students. The call and/or email keeps the communication lines open even if the student quits they know they can contact someone at the school at reestablish a connection. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Maribeth, We are challenged with cheating as well. I am like you and raise the question "How are they going to make it in the work world when they don't have the knowledge as a result of cheating?" They respond that they will come up with something once they get the job. So I guess they will continue to cheat in one way or another until they get fired then repeat the process. Many of them don't see this as a negative but as a simple survival technique. Very sad, so when I have students come through that are… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Scott, The key element is that you try to establish rapport with every student. This means you are providing interaction, conversation and support to every student you have. This is an important part of being a teacher. If the students does not respond that it is up to that individual but you know you have fulfilled your professional responsibility in reaching out. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Hi Amanda, This approach takes learning and application to another level and I think it is important that students have skills to be able to form opinions and support those opinions with facts and experience. You are helping them to develop valuable skills needed when they are in the work world. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Chris, I love gimmicks like this. These things, even though they may seem to be silly when teaching adults really are effective in keeping the students engaged and focused. Keep your llama involved! Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Margaret, You are so right about the importance of being able to transfer their learning to other settings. This is the value of education. We can't teach them to be able to match every situation they will encounter in the work world. We can teach them to problem solve and make applications, this is the value of a comprehensive education. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Nichole, Sounds like my two evening/night classes. (They run from 4 until 10) They are very different from each other even though the requirements for the course are the same. This is what makes teaching so exciting because we such diverse students and personalities based upon days of the week and times of day. Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your students and enjoying meeting their unique learning needs. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Myra, I commend you for your efforts to embrace technology in giving instruction and receiving feedback. This takes time and dedication. Our college has purchased and discarded three different systems to date. This means a lot of effort to learn each system and then start all over again with a new one. Each system has merit so we instructors try our best to keep up to date with them as we are trying to do what you are doing--stay current with the technology so we can use it to benefit our students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Hi Lisa, You make a good point about the pace of class. It does need to be varied so the students don't get bored and they look forward to what is coming next. This helps to keep them engaged throughout the class session. Gary

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