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

Increasing Student Retention

Hi Laura, This is so true. We all get anxious when we are waiting for the results from something. Quick feedback really helps to reduce those fears. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Mike, You have a very solid instructional base from which you operate. Also, your ongoing professional development plan is a good one. Each time you take a course or review instructional development material you are expanding your knowledge base. This knowledge base gives you additional options from which you can chose as you work with your students. This is a win win for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Martha, I like to do something along this line as well. I have a game or activity that my students do as they get settled in to the course for the evening. This approach also helps me with developing rapport with the students as a result of the interaction from the activities. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Dan, Good way to get everyone settled in and feeling comfortable with the class. I like to use ice breakers as well because they help the students to get to know each other a little better while and share a laugh or two. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Barbara, I wish you the best with this new course. You are going to do fine based upon the great comments you shared in the forums. Develop your general outline and then give students additional handouts covering specifics as you go along and you will do fine. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Dera, Thank you for sharing your life experience with being a successful student. These stories are very important to students as you well know because they think that they are the only ones that ever struggled to get through school. Once they see that their instructor has to work hard and put forth a lot of effort to be a successful student they then can see a role model for themselves. Keep sharing your stories. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Pamela, This is a great way to "roll" out a course and engage your students in the learning process. You are giving them study strategies and as a result you are giving them hope. Hope being in the form of self confidence and the understanding that they can pass the course if they put forth the effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Student Feedback

Hi Patti, How do you get feedback from your students so you know how to improve your class? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Laurel, Good point about remembering names. When you know a student's name it sends a very clear message that you care about them and their success in the course. This helps with the development of rapport as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Royal, Good point about professional dress. You do set the stage for coming course if you present yourself as a dedicated professional educator. Gary

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