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

Matching Content to Need

Hi Claude, I commend you for making networking a part of your professional development. This way you can remain up to date and current in your field which in turn will be reflected in your courses. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Rosie, Well said about how to be an effective online instructor. The last sentence says it all. If they know you are available and that you care about them and their success you will have a higher degree of satisfaction and completion. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Claude, Good point about trying to make the content interesting. Humor is an effective learning tool that should be made a part of all instruction. By using humor you are in no way making light of or reducing the importance of your field you are only helping to make it more interesting. So use humor where ever and when ever you can to keep your students engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi Rick, Good example of how to engage or reengage a student in the learning process. Sometimes the additional attention and special projects are just enough nudge to get the back into the class mentally. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi Howard, Good point about liking what you are doing. Our students need to be excited about the career training they are receiving. I know some are not but I think this is sad since they well could spend 40 years doing something they don't like. So our excitement as instructors help them to see how they can enjoy their career. If the don't like it like you say they should get into something they do like. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Jessica, Knowledge of up front course requirements and expectations help to set the tone for the course. The students know what is coming and what they are going to be held accountable for. Good job of setting the stage for your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Renee, Good explanation of how you cover course expectations and requirements. Students need to know what is coming their way in the coming weeks plus what they are going to be held accountable for. When they know this up front they can see throughout the course how they are doing and what progress they are making. This way you can concentrate on providing support and encouragement to them as needed. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Matching Content to Need

Hi Renee, Thank you for your comments about getting to know the career objectives of your students. You are right about how knowing this information helps you plan for the kind of content and how you will present the information for the course. Also, it helps you to keep the students focused and seeing the relevancy of what they are studying. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi David, Good ideas about how to learn more methods of encouraging student retention. What methods of student retention have you found to be most effective for you? Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Christine, What a great way to provide instructional support through your "Instructor Guidance" documents. This I know save time and effort for both your students and yourself. Gary

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