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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Your Instructional Style

Hi All, Will you share the ways that you defined and then refined your instructional style? Thanks in advance for your input. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Joe, This is so true and I can tell by your comments you have been through this with your students many times before. It is a challenge to keep their focus on target and energy up throughout the course phase. By using the strategies you have outlined instructors will be able to keep the students engaged and on target with their learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Hi Carla, This approach give a human touch to the class and helps to get the students settled in. You are also starting the process of developing rapport with them by relating your own background in relation to what they bring to the classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Hi Aaron, Thank you for sharing these steps of support for working with students. Your approach is sequential and you work through the needs of the students in way that enables them to feel at ease and accepted in the class. They also feel respected for who they are and what they can contribute to the class. Well done. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Effective Retention Strategies

Hi All, You all have shared a number of very good comments about how to increase student retention. In expanding on your comments I would like to ask if each of you would share a retention strategy that has worked well for you that you would like to share with the rest of us. Thanks in advance for your responses. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Crystal, Welcome to the profession of teaching. I wish you much success in your new career. I have been a teacher for many years and can say it has been a great career for me. I get to impact the lives of students while educating them about a field I love, plus I get paid to do it. What's not to like? Thanks. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Carla, Good strategy for checking to see if they are getting the material plus they get to bring to class something that they are excited about and want to discuss. This really helps to keep them engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Hi Michelle, First I have a private talk with the student and tell him/her how much I appreciate their insight and questions but in all fairness I have to include all of the other students in the discussions and Q&A sessions. I then suggest they limit their questions to a certain number say 3 per class session. This generally works because I have reinforced their knowledge (be it true or not) and so they back off with the questions. If this doesn't work I ask him/her to write down their questions in advance so I can respond to them throughout… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Hi All, A well prepared syllabus really helps to answer students' questions and set the tone for the class. Many of you shared the ways you put together your syllabus so you let your students know the course expectations, requirements and policies. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi All, Thank you all for you input on the need for making your expectations clear. It is essential that you do make your expectations clear if you are going to get the students settled into the course and feeling comfortable with what is going to occur over the coming weeks. Student frustrations with unclear course requirements leads to classroom management issues that can be avoided by being upfront and clear with your polices, requirements, and expectations. Gary

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