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

Motivating Learners

Hi James, You have a good start on how you are going to work with your students. You are using an industrial approach since that is where your students are going to work. By using the standards of the industry and encouraging them as they work through the skill development phase you are going to be preparing your students to be successful in the workplace. Keep up the positive reinforcement and both you and your students are going to enjoy learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Julie, What are some methods you use to draw your students out and show them how they can use their life experiences to help them be successful in the class? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Dr. Anderson, This is part of what intrinsic motivation is about. If we can get the students to start thinking along the lines of ROI and self development then their attendance will increase. Good point. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Hi Robert, You hit a triple with your comments. Students like to hear about how they can make money, be satisfied with the work they are doing, and have personal fulfillment. If we can get this message across we will be able to engage our students more in the learning process and they will work harder to be successful in school. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Teresita, This is why it is so important to document everything so if a question comes up you have evidence of your policy about tardies and absences as well as when they occurred. I have found that just by pulling out the documentation the complaint generally goes away since the student knows I have back up for the decision that has been made about their grade. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Cynthia, As an experienced instructor you know how important it is to lay a solid foundation for students. You are doing that with the information you share with them. What are some of the most common issues that come up with your students after you have shared this information with them? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Matthew, In your approach you are giving them a vision toward which they will be working in the coming course. This is very important for them to be able to see how the sequence of projects is building a foundation for their future. The key is to have them reflect at times on that vision so they don't wear down during the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Karen, What did they say? Curious minds want to know! Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Hi Karen, Thank you for this excellent example of how you helped your students to draw the connection between the content and application. The examples reinforce the content and by having them in their notes they can recall what was talked about in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Lola, What are some things that you do to get excited about the last half of the course? What do you do with your students to get them ramped back up to be excited about the course? Gary

End of Content