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.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Kate, Sounds like a very good solution of providing support to and for all students. Each one gets to share their knowledge but in a timely manner that is based upon their growth in the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Rhonda, Good strategy for providing student support. This way the students know that you are there to help them be successful if they will put forth the effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Michael, I am a big fan of using competitions as learning tools. I have different games I use to get my students excited about the course content plus help them review for tests. They really like the competition as you know from your own students plus it gets them fired up. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Vonda, A very simple concept but one that has to be focused on if we are going to be successful as instructors. We must know our students and build our instruction around those needs. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Mike, Good example of how one type of training prepares you for success in another field. Effective communication is what teaching is all about and the more effective we are the more effective our instruction will be. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Annette, What a great way to make your course content "real" for your students. You are helping them to connect the dots of their career development. One dot or bit of content builds on the next dot and another dot until the entire picture is complete. Keeping that vision in their minds is critical if they are going to be successful in their efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Patricia, I love it! You are showing your abilities as a professional educator no matter your age or how long you have taught. Keep up the good work. You are gaining the respect of your students by having their names down early in the course. This as you know really impresses the students. The demonstration of your caring comes through in your efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Christine, The work you and your faculty is doing is great. Learning as we all know is complicated and is not just a rote process through which information is given and received. By knowing personality types, multiple intelligences and learning preferences instructors have many more options available to them as they plan their courses. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Asma, Good point about being willing to accept feedback and then build on the suggestions that are made. This is where instructional improvement comes from. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Malik, In addition to what you are already doing I would suggest student feedback throughout the course. I use student feedback frequently. I give my students 3x5 cards and have them comment on a recently completed assignment, project, etc. The comments are anonymous so the students are candid in their comments. I get really good input that I use to improve assignments or make changes in my instructional delivery. Gary

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