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 Robert, This is a good strategy. Excitement does rub off so as you say when you are excited your students get excited as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Frances, Thank you for sharing this great example of how we instructors can impact the lives of students. Your student should be an inspiration to others through what she has been able to accomplish, going from being homeless to finishing nursing school. I am sure your influence and support was the critical link to her staying in school and seeing how she could be successful upon graduation. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi John, I rotate my student groups as well because we don't get to select our co-workers. I want them to work with different students throughout the course. I remind them that we have to learn how to cooperate and tolerate each other or we have to separate ourselves from that work site. This is what work success is all about. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Angela, You are right about a lot of students acting confident when they really aren't. I let them ease into the procedures of the class so they can "save face" while developing true self confidence based upon skill development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Rosie, What a great opportunity you have to escape a bit. For me here in Nebraska I can escape to a soybean or corn field, not as exciting as the beach. Though there is something about the sun peaking over a stalk of corn that is almost like the sun peaking over the horizon at the beach, then again maybe not. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Rosie, Well said. We need all the good instructors we can get in classrooms at all levels. The impact that instructors have on the lives of students is great so we need to be at the top of our game and excited about what we are doing each time we meet with our students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi John, By being direct you are reducing confusion on the part of students. By them knowing your expectations, requirements and polices they are ready to proceed in the course. This sets the stage for early learning rather than student frustration. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Teresa, Good way to start the class. This way the students know your expectations, requirements, and polices. This reduces many questions and much confusion so you are able to get them focused on the course content the very first day. Good job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Robert, You make a good point about offering different activities in the course to appeal to the different student learning preferences. They don't have to be really big things just little changes of pace, or quick activities that help the students to reset their brains and engage their interest which will enable you to continue making progress in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Will, You are helping students to see application by doing what you are doing. Application and transference are two big words that need to be used in gen ed courses. By using these words the students will start to see that there is reason behind them having to take such courses. Gary

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