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

Instructors as Motivators

Hi Harprit, Good strategy. Adult learners like to be active in their learning rather than passive. By having the students question and interact they are using their newly acquired knowledge in a practical way. This lets them make application of the course content. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Tim, What type of class assignments do you have your students do after they have viewed the PPT presentation? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Julie, Good idea on how to bring returning students up to speed while giving the demonstrating student experience in communication and transference of skills. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Dean, The change up that you bring to the class and the various activities all help to keep the students engaged and focused. They need variety so they don't lose interest in the course and the day's topic. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Hi Bobbe, This is a part of the instructional process for students. Understanding what the real world is going to be like when they are out working. Instructors do a great favor for their students if they provide the information you mentioned in your forum comment. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Timothy, Good definition that we all can make a part of our professional development. If we base what we are doing on respect then we will a much easier time of keeping students engaged in the learning process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Karen, Communication is critical to keep everyone in the loop as the school tries to identify the reasons for the absences and do follow up. In many cases if an intervention can be set up early in the sequence the student can be kept in the program. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Steven, Good question. These students have a real adjustment to make in their thinking if they are going to be successful in their studies and career. This is why it is so important for instructors to provide them with a professional role model so they see the benefits of dedication and effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Hi Janiel, Thank you for sharing these different ways of providing motivation opportunities for students. You make a good point about Maslow and the need for meeting the lower needs before moving upward. At times we need to remind ourselves about the backgrounds of our students because many of them don't have the basic needs being met so they have a very hard time seeing how they can progress upward. We have had students homeless and hungry trying their best to stay in school. I really admire and support these students and their willingness to keep trying in spite of… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Olga, How do you put your students into groups so there is a good mix of different abilities and interests? Gary

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