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

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Ajani, You make a very good point. To help those students that don't see the connection between course content and application I create learning groups. I put the younger less experienced learners in groups with more experienced learners. When they work on projects together they start to share life experiences and it really helps the younger students to see how the course content fits into their career development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Thomas, Well said. This is a critical part of teaching. If students can see application and relevancy to course content they will start to make the connection between what they are studying and the field they want to enter. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Scott, Good to hear that you had a positive first experience. Like anything the more experience you have the better you will get and the easier the process becomes. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Hi William, I agree with you about this student segment. They are fun to teach and a joy to watch learn. They make it easy to go to work each day. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Fortuna, Right you are. Teaching is hard enough so for a person that doesn't want to be a teacher it isn't worth it. They need to get into another line of work. For those that enjoy teaching that joy shows to the students and they get a much higher degree of positive responses from their students not to mention the satisfaction of knowing they are doing a good job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Mark, I clearly understand your frustration with certain students that don't become engaged no matter what you do. I want 100% in my class with all my students but I don't get it. I provide support to all students and treat them with respect but if they don't want to become involved in the course content that is their choice as an adult. I don't let the few get me down or change my approach because I feel that it is their loss not mine and I am going to remain excited about my field and share that excitement… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Todd, This is a great way of forming student learning groups since it is done by the students after you have provided them with introductions through ice-breakers. I am sure these groups are strong and solid as a result of this format. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Husham, You make a good point about you and your students being a learning team. The more you all can exchange information, grow in your knowledge and professional development the stronger you all will be at the end of the course. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Holly, Good for you. These students are still trying to see if they have made the right choice in terms of a career and the more career counseling you can provide the better informed they will be in terms of that choice. This way they will be more confident that they have made the right choice and that they are going to be successful in their chosen career. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi James, This is a good point. By knowing this information you are able to customize some of the instruction to better meet the needs of certain students. This helps them to feel more a part of the course and that they can be successful in it. Gary

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