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

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Barton, Good points. Listening is a powerful learning tool that instructors often overlook in their preparation to teach. By collecting some information about students a connection can be made because you are demonstrating your interest in them as human beings as well as students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Scott, This is critical for students to see. If they can see application and relevancy to their career goals you will have continued motivation by students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Linda, Just be being able to chat a little about something of personal interest with students builds a connection between you and them. This is the basis for respect just as you mentioned. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Lyn, Thank you for these great points about different kinds of motivation. They should give us all different ideas of how we can develop different motivation strategies for our students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Debra, These kinds of opportunities to communicate are often enough to get students engaged and contributing to the class discussions. These methods also let the students know that you are there to support their efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Vince, Little things can become big things with students. So anything you can do to make the environment more comfortable and supportive for the students the better the class will be. A walk through the classroom looking at the environment through the eyes of the students often times will help an instructor see how the environment impacts their learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Gail, Two things really work for instructors, common sense and instinct. You have both. What education courses can do for you is to expand the skills and knowledge you already have as a result of your experiences. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Gail, This is what class management is all about. Setting the boundaries and then following the polices that you have established for the course. This way there will be understanding and the students will know what they are to do and what your expectations are. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Alison, Good plan for keeping the key goal in mind while providing the supporting information that students needs have. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Melissa, You are in a great setting by having a school that promotes faculty development. You are on the right path with your skill development as an educator by listening, talking and observing other instructors. You can as you say learn so much from them. I wish you the best in your instructional career. I know you are going to enjoy it. Gary

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