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

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Joseph, You make a good point about the students needing to see that hard work is required of success in any situation. Enjoying what you do is wonderful but you have to work at it as well. This is part of joining the "real world" that students need to see. It is hard work to be a student to get the skills needed to enter a field where hard work is required. All careers revolve around this central theme. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi David, Right you are. It is much like pushing a rope up hill. Near impossible. So it is so much easier to get off to a positive good start and not have to worry about correcting a negative situation. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Kim, Love your attitude. This is what makes teaching worthwhile when we get bogged down in grading and student problems. We are making a difference in their lives and helping to shape their future. This is a great opportunity few people get. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Application of New Knowledge

Hi Richard, Good point. By using their new knowledge several times over in different settings, such as class discussions and role playing the students really cement the knowledge into their working memories. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Hi Sara, You have a good plan for instructional improvement. This way you know how to make the needed changes so you will have instructional improvement. Also, these changes help to make the course fresh to you even when you have taught it numerous times before. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Chris, This is so important on getting a course off to a good start. You have to let them know the course expectations, polices and requirements. When they know this information they can start to see how they fit into the course and how they are going to make themselves successful within the learning environment. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Dwight, Right you are about needing to set the students at ease and get them settled into the course. The more information you can share with them the more it reduces their frustration and gets them focused on the upcoming course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Caroline, I think this is very important as well. By knowing more about your students you are able to provide the needed supports. What are some ways you go about getting to know your students better? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Kelly, This is a great way to get a feel for where your students are coming from and the types of support they need. We have been former students and we need to remember our experiences from those times and then plan our instructional delivery around how we can build on what we have experienced. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Peter, A relaxed and open class is comfortable for everyone and helps to get the students settled in for the upcoming instruction. Humor is a major part of helping this to happen. Gary

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