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

Motivating Learners

Hi Vivian, This is so important to the students. This way they know they have someone in an authority position that cares about their success. This also earns their respect which is important for the students to develop. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Susan, So simple and so quick. This is why the first impression needs to be a positive one. It is so much easier to build on a positive impression than dig out of a hole of a negative one. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Michael, Right you are about the syllabus. Thank you for those good remarks. The syllabus is valuable in laying out the course policies, requirements and expectations. It is like a contract and in some colleges it is a contract because students sign a sheet that says they have received and read the syllabus. Other instructors have quizzes over the syllabus at the next class meeting. All kinds of different ways of showing the students the value attached to the syllabus. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Increasing Student Retention

Hi Debra, Sounds like a comfortable and fun first meeting of the class. This helps to get the students settled in and provides them a picture of how the class is going to operate. This really does impact retention just as you mentioned. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Heather, You have been there and done that successfully. You are a good role model for your students and that should help them understand that you will provide them with support if they are willing to put forth the effort. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Shelle, Good strategy. This gives understanding from both perspectives and should lead to the enhanced development of rapport. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Susan, Good way to offer instructional diversity plus support to your students. This will keep them engaged throughout the class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Suzanne, Well said. This type of professionalism shows your students that you are a dedicated educator that cares about student success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Angie, Good definition. This says a lot about how you are going to approach the classroom and your students. Keep up the good work. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Andrea, Good strategies. I know you are going to be able to reach your students at an even higher level using the variety of deliveries that you have listed. Gary

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