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 Cheri, What great experiences your students are having. With all of the different parts of the culinary world located within traveling distance to your school your students get to see their next career step in action. This has to get them excited and motivated as you mention. If it doesn't then nothing will. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Nancy, Great job of using a number of different methods to show the students what will be learned, what has been learned and how they will used what they have learned. All of these components help the students to see the "big picture" of their professional development and gets them ready for the next step. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Nancy, You are right about how important the sharing of information really is for students and instructors. Through sharing there is a connection created that will carry throughout the course and beyond. Helps students to see the human factor in their preparation efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Hi Nancy, I commend you for your use of relevant materials in the classroom. By bringing in the industry periodicals you are showing them how the real world operates. This will help them bridge the gap between school and work and make the adjustment for them much easier. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Nancy, Good approach. You are using the resources available to you and those are your students. Their experiences and backgrounds really help to bring such valuable content and examples to the classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Christine, You make a good point about trying to help the students be very clear in relation to the course expectations. Throughout the course questions will arise but the more you can help them understand the expectations the lower the frustration level will be. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Robert, You make a good point about how instructors can be supportive of students and offer them assistance in making progress with their career goals. This is why establishing rapport with students is so important. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Deborah, "Reading" students is critical for teaching success. You make a good point about needing to pay attention to what the students are both saying and not saying while in class. Both of these variables can really influence their dedication to the course and success within it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Kenneth, I am a big fan of role playing as well. I find that I get the same results that you listed. Plus, the students really like to work through the case studies and then role play solutions with different outcomes. Everyone gets involved in the process. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Louis, Right you are. Clear expectations, requirements and polices greatly reduce the levels of frustrations and confusion on the part of students. This helps to get the course off to a good start and has the students focused on the course and how to be successful in it. Gary

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