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 a Positive First Impression

Hi April, A positive first impression helps to establish the tone of the class. By having a positive environment the instructional delivery will be more effective and efficient for the students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi David, Good way of providing support to your students. They know you are there for them if they need help plus you have made yourself available through email. This really helps to set the students at ease and get them settled into the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Jamison, You make a very good point about modeling as an educator. Even though we are "off duty" when we encounter some of our students we need to demonstrate that we are a person of character to our students. Your strategy for acknowledging your student and then enjoying your dinner while still being a modeling to your student is a good one because the student will store this information in her mind and think of it when she is out in the field on her own and defines professionalism in her own way. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Edward, Good point and I agree with you about the importance of modeling for students. This gives them a measurement from which to operate as they progress through their schooling. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Linsey, Thank you for sharing your memory of your instructor and why he reflected professionalism. It is good to have such role models in our past so we can us their characteristics in our instructional approach. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructors as Role Models

Hi Holly, Great comments! This is a an important lesson for students to learn. By modeling the dress and behavior of the field you are showing them what the standard of the field is. You are helping your students to "brand" themselves as up and coming professionals through their dress, communication skills and technical competence. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Brian, Keeping faith in the students is critical. They know you believe that they can be successful if they will put forth the effort. This is very important for continued motivation of the students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Hi Michael, You make a very good point that is sometimes missed by students. The courses you are teaching are designed to educate them to the point they can become professionals in their field. Thus, you are asking of them the same requirements as those of the field. They need to see what you are doing in the class sets them up for success in the future. My students sometimes complain about this so I bring in graduates to explain to the students how the training they are receiving is directly related to their career requirements. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Debra, You got that right! Chocolate is one of the more effective instructional tools available to teachers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Perry, You are right about the need for variety in your instructional delivery. Students need a change of pace in the flow of the class and by using the different techniques that you are you are allowing them to shift their minds and apply their newly acquired knowledge in a practical setting. Gary

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