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

Motivating Learners

Hi Maggie, Great to hear about the change of mind your students have had about your course. This says that you are meeting their needs and providing content they find valuable. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Student Motivation Factors

Hi Ydania, In your experience what kinds of positive reinforcement seem to work best with your students? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Petya, Good plan. Learners like variety and the more of that you can provide the more they will stay engaged and progressing in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Lola, We are finding more of our students that do not have an extrinsic support system available so they do need to find within themselves a support system that will keep them in school and moving toward their career goal. This is why we instructors need to provide all the support we can to help them get a vision of their future career. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Steve, I agree. This works for all ages. This way you have established that you are a professional and expect your students to act that way as well. You are setting the standard for the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Joel, You are right on with your comments about the need for clarity. If the students have a clear understanding of what the expectations, requirements and polices of the course are then they can focus their efforts on completing the course rather than wondering what the instructor wants. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructors as Motivators

Hi Rosie, Good point about student motivation. Instructors have to be the instructional leader so the students can see why and how the content is important and will become a part of their career development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Vince, I always feel bad for such students. They really haven't had the opportunity to make a meaningful, realistic, or informed career choice. Someone else, like parents, have made that decision for them. I hope such students find their true career choice some where along their life's path. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Kendall, Good point but it still is challenging in trying to keep pace with all the developments that are surrounding us. Research has shown that those individuals that remain life long learners retain the capacity to acquire new information more easily than those that don't stimulate their brains on a regular basis. This is what makes teaching so much fun. We get paid to learn new information and share it with others. It doesn't get any better than that. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Tim, Good point. It is much easier as you well know to start on the right foot rather than trying to correct or reinvent yourself. I am always amazed when I see instructors that start off rocky with their new class and then can't figure out why they don't have rapport with the students. Gary

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