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 Human Factor in Retention

Hi Jeff, There are many different formats that are used when teaching online so it is hard to say how it can be done exactly. I start my online courses with introductions and a series of questions some related to the class and some that ask about general things, like interests, travel, etc.. This gets the students talking among themselves and with me and it builds from there because we get to know each other better on a personal basis. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Chris, Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it with us. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Hi Chris, Clear goals and objectives are create a road map of learning for the students and helps to get them invested in the course early because they know what is going to occur in the coming weeks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructors as Role Models

Hi Chris, Good advice for instructors. Instructors are models whether they want to be or not. So they need be the professionals that set the standard for the field. Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Your Instructional Style

Hi Dennis, Good warning and advice for instructors. You are right on with your comments. We need to make sure the students take responsibility for their learning and future. We can provide support but we can't be enablers because if we are we are doing them a dis-service. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Reasons for Enrolling

Hi Jessica, "Selling" a course like yours is a challenge that can be fun since it is an elective. I teach such a course and have worked hard to build content that will appeal to the students and keep them engaged. This effort makes it fun for me because it gets me even more excited about the course. Have fun ramping up your instructional delivery and enjoy much teaching success. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Dr. Vuolo, Good point. This really helps to make it real for the students. Sometimes they miss the connection between the classroom and real life. By bringing in the cases you are helping them to make that connection so they know what they are in for when they complete their schooling. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Motivating Learners

Hi Teresa, You are doing all the right things to help your students to be successful. The more you can build their confidence the stronger they are going to be as they complete their rotation. Also, they will have a much clearer picture of what their careers are really going to be like when they complete rotation which is critical if they are going to stay in the field. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Aimee, Right you are and I believe as do you it is our obligation to share information about the field that is accurate and realistic. This helps the students to see what they are getting into. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Hi Stephanie, I think you are going your students a real service by presenting both sides of what the are going to encounter when they enter the field. The need to see it as it really is rather than having it painted in a way that will disappoint them or drive them from the field after they have been in it a while. Keep up the sharing of your experiences. Gary

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