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

Motivation techniques...

Hi Matthew, Excellent point about timely feedback. This is so important to keep the students engaged and current on their status in the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Jon, Good points. To remain fresh it is fun to try new things. We can do that by looking for new activities, current events, or new information in our field. To learn about the above and then try them out in our courses keeps us refreshed and pumped up when we enter the classroom or lab. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Stacy, Good points. The keys are just as you mentioned clear polices and consistency in dealing with students. This helps to establish the class management part of teaching and the other is good preparation each time you step into the classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Scott, After exhausting the in class solutions I would suggest a talk with the student services office. These students are taking courses that will train them in a career area. If they are sleeping they are not learning and the college will not be turning out individuals that have the knowledge and skills to do the work. These students should be removed from the class or enrolled in a class at another time that is more to their liking in terms of not sleeping. We have colleges and instructors have to have standards and when those aren't met then… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Scott, I know you are going to enjoy the benefits of adding additional activities and exercises. These help to motivate the students and will give you some relief from long lectures. Have fun be creative and your students will benefit from it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Scott, Is there a way you can have pairs or groups of students work together on projects after you have given them the information? Is there a way for you to have the sleepers present a mini-point to the class? Anything to keep them a bit on edge or move them around to get the blood flowing. When mine drift off I will stop talking and the silence will wake them up, I also drop things to make noise. Noises that don't distract the class but don't disrupt the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Patricio, This is a good point. We have to keep our energy up and our students engaged. We can do this by keeping our minds focused on what we are offering our students in terms of future careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Celia, I know you are an enthusiastic instructor by the comments you have made in the forums. Keep it up. Students relate to someone that is excited about the field and sharing what they know about that field. This is a great aid in developing rapport which leads to both instructor and student success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi John, What critical listening techniques would you suggest instructors develop to enhance their effectiveness? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Hi Elizabeth, Good point. Planning is what is going to move the class forward. Planning is what is going to help the students to acquire the needed knowledge. Planning is going to make class management easier. So in summary planning is where it begins and must continue each time any instructor steps into the classroom. Gary

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