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

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Nikhil, Good points about making sure we instructors are aware of the human factor in our working with students. You are right about the baggage that many students bring into our classrooms. We need to be as supportive as we can be while keeping our students engaged and focused on their career development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Kimberly, Support systems are only as good as the ability to provide support. Your point is a good one in terms of helping students to verbalize exactly what those needs are and when they are needed. This way the members of the support team can see exactly how they can help. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Kimberly, I agree with you on this. I know most of us have had such instructors in our past and it seemed the course would never end. It went on forever and ever. With excitement comes motivation, relevancy and application. Sounds like you are offering all three to your students with your excitement about your course and the use of English as a career maker. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Margaret, Way to go in your effort to spark their interest and help them to see the application of what you are teaching them. Effective communicators are needed no matter what field one works in. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Patricia, Who says learning can't be fun? These simple little strategies really get the students thinking about what they are learning in their studies. They are starting to internalize the rules and requirements of their work because they start looking to see if you are following them as well, so when you don't with your gum chewing you should really be pleased with their progress. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Gladys, Right you are. This really helps to create both interest and application in the minds of the students. The more we can provide them with such stories the more relevancy they see in course content. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Roxanne, I agree with you about the opportunities observations present in the area of professional development. We get to see different approaches, ideas and levels of creativity. The more chance we have to see others teach as well as be observed the more growth we experience. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Dale, Thanks for sharing this example with us. It is a good way to reinforce what you are teaching in the class and shows them what real life is all about. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Enid, This is why it is so important to show the students how the "real world" works. As we all know there is a big difference between the classroom and the work site. Anything we can do to help the students make the transition we should. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Robert, Way to go in changing up the instructional delivery process. I know this keeps the interest of your students. They soon learn to expect the unexpected. Gary

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