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

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Jeremy, So true. Everyone likes to feel accepted and by welcoming each student into the class an instructor is setting the stage for a positive learning experience as well as class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Lisa, This is a good point in terms of instructional planning. By knowing this information a strategy of support can be developed and then implemented to the benefit of each student. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Angela, The human factor is the glue that holds education together no matter what the subject is. Your points are dead on in terms of including the students to the point they feel accepted and comfortable. It is at this time the learning process is going to really take off. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Osiel, Right you are. This gives a way of planning your instruction so you can target the needs of your students while providing support. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Katrina, This is a very important bit of information to get. By knowing the enrollment reason you can develop a delivery strategy that will appeal to that student. This is a way to customize your instruction for the entire class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Hi Crystal, Good analysis of why having different instructional deliveries are so important. With your approach you are touching on the different learning modes which will in turn engage all of the students at one time or another. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Helen, A strategy I use for diverse learning groups like this is to put them into case study/problem solving groups. When they are given case studies to work through they start to respect and rely on each others experiences to solve the problem. They don't focus as much on the differences. I mix the groups up at different times because of the fact that they are cohorts. They need to learn to work with others not just the 3-4 students in their group. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Ondrea, Right you are. The students need to see the connection between the classroom, content and the career area they are preparing to enter. When they do they will operate at a much higher level of motivation. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Dreena, This is an important part of instructional planning. As you mention try to simulate the working environment in which the students will be going as much as is possible. School is a job for students as well so they need to learn the "soft skills" as well as the content so they will be successful in their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Ghia, Two very good points to observe as an dedicated professional educator. Gary

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