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.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Kristen, There is a big difference between telling jokes and using humor in a class setting. Humor is a great teaching tool but it must as you caution be used appropriately in order to reinforce the learning that is occurring. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Holli, This is when the human factor in teaching becomes critical. The more they see their instructor and learning leader believing in them and their success the greater their engagement will be. You are doing a good job of helping them stay in the program and moving toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Mike, Good way to get your older students involved while helping them to see the value of the content being shared. In classes set up like this the lectures are always a challenge but with strategies like those you are using you are getting them to invest not only in the lab time but the classroom time as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Joyce, I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I can relate to your situation. Keeping them engaged is a challenge but an even bigger one is to get them to class. It is a struggle and we lose some. When we do have students leave us we are all sad but then we reset our thinking and get our focus back on those students we have and how we can help them be successful in our courses. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Holli, Good way to provide support to your students. The better you know them the easier it will be to target their needs. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Preparing and Delivering Effective Lectures

Mark, Like your approach because you are making real world and not so real world applications of algebra. Nothing says that learning algebra can't be fun. Hadn't thought about the role zombies play in the world of algebra but I am sure there is one. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Yvette, This method really reduces the "I didn't know or no one told me" factor as a student excuse. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Reza, So true. It shows the pathway the course is going to follow for the duration of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Ruth, Your comment about students going over the syllabus with a fine tooth comb made me smile. You are so right with your comments about this. It seems one of their major joys is to be able to find an error or an unexplained item in the syllabus. If only they would spend that much time reading their text. For sure the syllabus has to be clear and concise. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Yvette, How have your students responded to this approach? Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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