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.

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Sharing Comprehensive and Clear Course Requirements

Hi Steve, This is a great strategy because it gives you confidence in terms of where you are taking the course plus gives you a clear step by step method of delivery. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Ida, So true. We need to always remember this when we are working with our students. They need to know we care about them and their success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Student Motivation Factors

Hi Barbara, You make a number of excellent points about how to keep the motivation level high for your students. Yes, it does range from a simple "good job" to the more complex review of their work. Each one of these strategies helps the students to grow in their knowledge base and increase their desire to be successful in the course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi Eulalia, Well said. By making expectations clear the students can get settled into the course quicker and feel more confident in their abilities. This will make for a much more learner driven course. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Understanding Learner Characteristics

Hi Tarmara, Good point! We need to always keep this in our minds as we plan our instructional deliveries. To do so will make us much more effective. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Renetta, Good strategies. You are having a number of points of contact with them that lets them know your are there to support them as needed while encouraging them in their efforts. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Learning Environment Effect

Hi Jennifer, Right you are about the impact the learning environment has on students. The more realistic we can make it the better our students will be for it. I like your statement about how they will be more confident and controlled as a result of understanding how the work world is going to operate. This is very true. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Accommodating Learner Preferences

Hi Dennis, Sounds like your class is both interesting and dynamic. Way to go in bringing real life experiences and supporting media into the classroom. This keeps your content alive and the student engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Andrew, Good for you. You were trying to help the student right up until he left. Even if a student leaves by talking with him/her you are leaving the door open for them to return because they are not leaving with hard feelings, they are just leaving. I know when a student is set on dropping our I have a talk with him/her and then I give them my business card and tell them that they can call me anytime and I will help them get back in school. This has made the difference many times in their coming… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Debra, Doesn't this really help as you plan your instructional approach for the course? I know once I know more about my students and the life experiences they are bringing to my class I am able to target their learning needs better and more accurately. Gary

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