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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REFOCUS...

Hi David, You make a really good point about the need for adjunct faculty to keep fresh like the full time faculty. It can be challenging just as you mention due to other life time challenges but the effort needs to be made to keep the excitement in teaching for the benefit of both the students and instructor. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Robert, Good way to explain what it takes to be an effective instructor. The result will be a higher retention rate and more motivated students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Jan, I think one of the retention strategies for students is to put onus on them. They have to understand it really is up to them. We can encourage them, support them and instruct them but we can't learn for them. We have already graduated so we are at a different point than they. We are practicing professionals sharing our expertise with those that do not have such expertise. Once they understand that then they are ready to acquire the needed knowledge and skills. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Deb, Thanks for sharing this information with us. Your former boss's advice is good for this situation. We need to leave our lives at the door so that we don't carry our problems into the classroom and let them contaminate the class for that day. By developing rapport with our students we are going to keep them in school and moving toward achieving their career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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REFOCUS...

Hi Jan, This is a good idea for a number of reasons all of which really help to increase your expertise. I do the same thing and I look forward to the reading and research it takes to become familiar with the content of the course and get it ready to present. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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REFOCUS...

Hi Jan, You make a number of excellent points about how to keep the all important "edge" that we need to maintain as educators. By doing the things you listed you are not only giving back to your field but are also growing in your own professional development. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Jan, Good multi-purposed approach to instructional delivery. You are reaching the different learning preferences which enables the students to work in their preferred areas at different times throughout the course. This increases their buyin in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructors as Role Models

Hi Erin, I like this approach. By helping them to understand how they can correct their mistakes and be more effective in their communication you are provided them with some very powerful career tools. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructors as Role Models

Hi Alison, You have a great approach. Career success to a major extent is based upon the "soft skills" you are trying to develop in your students. If they don't have these skills no matter how skilled they are they are not going to enjoy the highest level of career success. I commend you for your effort and encourage to keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Victor, You have hit upon the core of why instructors are needed to teach rather than just having the students work through an instructional computer program. We are the vital learning link for the students based upon our experience and knowledge of the field and we need to work to share that to the maximum extent possible. Gary

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