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

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Patricia, You are right about being able to set the tone of the class. Even though the conditions may be a bit tough or shabby as you say excitement on the part of the instructor can overcome these problems. If the students know you care and are supportive of them the learning level will be much higher. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Hi Kenny, The integration of a variety of learning preferences helps to meet the individual learning needs of students. By offering these different methods you are showing your students you care about their success in your course. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Hi Kenny, You are right about using analogies in your instruction. Simple applications of new information give the students the needed connections between what they are learning and how to retain it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivation techniques...

Hi George, When students get to use their newly acquired skills they can see relevancy and application which is key to student retention. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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REFOCUS...

Hi George, Right you are about needing to remain upbeat throughout the course. With any let down students can fall into the trap of not being as engaged or focused on completing the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Patricia, Great approach to engaging your students on a variety of levels. You are using their academic skills to help them with their career development. As you know often times the weakest link in the skill set of students is their ability to communicate through organization and writing. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi Peter, Thank you for sharing this wonderful success story with us. Stories like this serve to illustrate that by having good planning and caring people lives can be changed. Two students are now on their way to success that before the exercise would have not thought they could be successful in a career college setting. Congratulations! Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Clarifying Your Expectations To Students

Hi Jeanne, I have had the same experience with ESL students so I like you have to be very clear in my explanations. I try to graphically show them the expectations, requirements and deadlines as well. The combination really helps to get the message across. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Matching Content to Need

Hi John, Welcome to the profession. You have a great attitude about how you can grow as a professional educator. You have all the years of actual experience to fall back on so you can concentrate on developing the expertise necessary to share that knowledge. Sounds like you are well on your way in doing it. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Becoming aware of retention strategies...

Hi John, All the ways you mentioned in your forum response are parts of a total professional development program. We, as instructors need to always be on the lookout for ways to gain new insight on how to be better instructors plus stay current in our fields. Keep up the good work. Gary

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