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

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Gary, Good strategies for class management. I am with you all the way on cell phones. The students have a lot of material to digest so the more we can reduce distractions the more engaged they will be in the learning process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Darlene, You are on the right track with your instructional planning. In a previous life I was pre-vet and took the courses you are talking about. I had a number of professors that were great at covering the material but keeping us involved in all phases of the class. Their methods made the class time go fast as well as making the learning fun. You do have a lot of material to cover but by keeping the students engaged and offering a variety of ways to learn you will be able to increase the speed of learning for your… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Dayle, This is a very good question that each career college and instructor has to collectively answer. Students enroll in programs for which they have no interest so they are hard to motivate and please in terms of instruction. These students need to be referred to the Students Services Office for career counseling. If is unfair to the other students, you the instructor and them to remain in the class if they really don't want to be there. Another criteria for accreditation is placement. If a student is retained even if he/she is not doing the work or attending… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Marilyn, This is a great way to being the real world into the classroom. I use my graduates frequently and they are always a hit with my students because they can see themselves in that person. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Laura, Thank you for sharing these strategies with us. They are great and can be used by all instructors. The 5 things really help to keep things moving and the students involved. I know new instructors will really value having these additional activities available to them. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Hi Sarah, You make a good point about trying to keep the relevancy and application of foundational academic content in front of students. Very very few careers have individuals working in isolation where written and oral communication is not needed. In the culinary arts the most successful individuals are those that can communicate effectively whether it be with fellow workers or the customers. The more you can help them to see this the more you are providing value added education to their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi Julie, I like the way you personalized your input for each student. That way each student knows that you know what they have been doing as individuals as well as progress being made in the course. This should be a very effective motivation tool. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Hi Julie, Good advice for all instructors. If a student feels valued and supported they are much more likely to share their opinions and have input in the class. This is a good way to draw them out. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Increasing Student Retention

Hi Julie, Good strategies. Thanks for sharing them with us. I really like the comparison between instructional delivery and the reading of "The Three Little Pigs". It is very true that we need to reflect that kind of excitement when teaching. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Kimberly, Thanks for sharing these websites with us. They are great and will be of help to other instructors. Gary

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