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

Instructor Enthusiasm

Sean, I agree. Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it helps to engage students in the learning process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Increasing Student Retention

Michael, Thank you for sharing this example. I know it will be beneficial to other instructors. We need to look for all of the examples we can as we plan our instructional delivery and how to reach each student. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Amy, They help shape the image students have of their career field and what to expect once they are working in it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Dana, This is such an important part of the instructional process. These appointments show you value them and their success and they get to know you a bit better as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Carol, This is a good point because students come from some very difficult situations and yet they are there every time the class meets. Knowing some about them will help when it comes to instructional planning and customizing delivery. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Michael, Simple things like being acknowledged go a long way in earning the respect of students. We all liked such acknowledgement when we were students so we need to do the same for our students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Michael, You have a great strategy laid out for your classes. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I face the challenge of long class sessions as well. It takes a lot of planning as you know to break up the class into time frames that will engage and keep the focus of the students. I have great students that are very dedicated to their career development but after working all day they are tired and thus need lots of activities that will keep their minds awake and their ability to learn on high. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

DAVID E, You are welcome. This is a saying that even years old has application for all of us educators. I think of it often as I prepare for new course sessions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Sara, A positive first impression forms a foundation from which the rest of the course will operate. Building on it is so much easier rather than trying to fix or correct something that was done during the first class meeting. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Learning Environment Effect

Michael, Right you are because the closer you can simulate the career area in the real world the easier the transition will be for students completing their program and going to work. They will know what to expect. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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