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

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Brandon, Getting students to assume responsibility is always a challenge. Some students have the maturity to come in get the work done and have course success others never put forth the required effort and are always looking for a break on course requirements. I like your idea of the two make up days. You are showing them that you understand that they may fall behind on some things but they have two days to make it up and only two days. This way they catch a bit of a break but are held responsible for their work throughout the… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Anthony, Good point about the syllabus. Instructors have to give clear and specific directions for the operation and requirements of the course if they are going to maintain control of the class and how it will operate. If they don't then frustration breaks out for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Gabriel, Right you about needing to make application to what is being learned. This is how new knowledge is stored in memory. The more application that occurs the higher the retention level. This is why it is important to work hard at finding problem solving examples for the students. Yes, sometimes it is easier said than done. I like to use competitions with student teams to do reviews and problem solving which is fun for the students and really helps them to make application of their new knowledge. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Anthony, Well put. The example you used is very accurate with our students. We have to walk the talk or we are of no value to our students since they will realize that our professionalism is not real. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Sara, Thanks for sharing this example. This is a common theme for many of us that returned to school later in life. Our students appreciate these examples because they often feel they are the only ones that have ever come back to school at their age. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Steve, Good strategies. You are providing valuable learning methods to your students to help them have early success in the course. This will help them to get settled in and ready for the rest of the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Sara, This is a good point about learning styles. What you need to do in your instructional planning is to offer variety just as you mentioned. This way the students all work in a variety of learning preference areas but they get the opportunity to work in their strongly preferred area for part of the course so they should excel when the content is offered in their preference area. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Ruth, I think this strategy is a good one because it is graphic and there for the students to see throughout the course. These goals are also reminders to and for the students when they get worn down about half way through the course. They can look at them and think to themselves "this is what I put down that I want to accomplish" so I am going to have to keep working hard if I am going to meet those goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Sara, I commend you on your efforts to draw out the connections between the academics and career applications. No matter the career effective communication both written and oral is important. The sooner students realize this and develop those skills the quicker they will start to see the benefits of being effective communicators. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Robert, Right you are about how a syllabus needs to be a living document. A syllabus can change every time the course is taught if needed. Your strategy of making notes on needed changes for the next course is a great way of keeping tract of needed changes and making sure they are not forgotten by the next course phase. Gary

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