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 Christine, Student rapport is so powerful as a learning tool. The adult learner is very child like in many ways as he/she really wants to please the authority figure if they have respect and rapport with them. This leads to higher retention rates and personal satisfaction of achieving personal career goals. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation techniques...

Hi Jesse, You are making WIIFM real for each student. They can see the ROI (Return On Investment) that you are asking of them through study and hard work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Christine, It sounds like you have a very interesting class based upon the content and the diversity of your student body. You have many challenges with your students and your approach is meeting the challenges and keeping the students engaged in the learning process. The encouragement factor is so important. Non-traditional adult learners coming back to school are very high risk and they need to know that someone cares about their success and that they can make it through their training program. The key is for them to hear it often. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Vicki, I really like your last point. Students like to have instructors know their names as a form of respect and recognition. Now as a result of getting what they want they are on your radar screen and you know they are there and how they are contributing to the course. It is a two way street for them. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Kevin, I agree with you. What a great opportunity you have to observe the different styles. The more exposure that one has the wider variety of knowledge one had to chose from in their own style. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Hi Laura, These kinds of incentives to be on time are important. The students need to learn that they have to be on time if they are going to be successful in their careers. By having the class operate by the same rules you will be helping the students be successful in the work world. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

REFOCUS...

Hi Steven, You are right about the lecturing part. You can talk but no listening is going on if there isn't any engagement. Students need to see the purpose of the content and how it applies to their career goals. Active participation helps this to occur. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Heidi, Fun and interesting are two words that need to be a part of all course planning. Students enjoy courses much more if they are interested in the topic and are having fun when learning it. What are some of the ways you make your courses fun and interesting? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Annette, Yes, it is important to know the course expectations. Otherwise the students are just guessing as to what is required of them to be successful in the class and this is a terrible feeling to have. This really increases the stress. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding learner characteristics...

Hi Avalokita, The key words you mentioned are understanding and appreciation. By having both of them for your students you will see a great difference in their involvement in the class just as you mentioned. Gary

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