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

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Bruce, Sounds like you have the learning styles covered. By offering variety as you are you will be hitting on one or more of the learning styles which will help to engage the students throughout the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Stan, As you know tactile learning helps to reinforce cognitive learning. The more you can get the students involved in the hands on the more your students are going to be engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Stan, Good point. Nothing breeds success like success. This concept is so simple but is forgotten many times in the process of getting the course started. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Stan, What are some ways you create a positive first impression for your students? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Carol, I create study teams (2 to 6 members depending on class size) in my classes. The teams are a mix of students, meaning different background, ages, etc. I have found that with a common problem facing them, they work well together to reach the solution. In the process of working on the problem they start to develop rapport and respect with and for each other. Not always successful in every case but is successful the majority of the time. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Carol, Thanks for sharing this good news with me. Even though it may be a long road progress is being made. I try to always remember that when I have a challenging student that person didn't get to be like that in one day so I'm not going to be able to correct the problem in one day either. I am going to take progress in inches and hope for miles of progress later. I wish both you and she the best in the coming weeks. Please keep me posted. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Carol, These are good ideas concerning how you can help your students see the relevancy of the course. Past graduates really help to excite and encourage students because they tell it like it is, even though you have already told them, they believe it more because their peers are telling them. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Kelly, You are right about be contagious with your excitement. It does spread. A chipper perky person in the morning does help those that are a bit draggy. This type of attitude will help to engage them for the day and learning will be enhanced. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Cecilia, Pacing is the key to student engagement and you address the importance of it in your comments. With pacing and variety the students will be able to retain a much higher level of content. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Mark, Glad you enjoyed going through the course. You have a clear understanding of how you can reach all of your students and I know they benefit from your insight and professionalism. Gary

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