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

Making Instruction Relevant

Nancy, Yes, it can. Even with their stated desire to become professionals in the field they still need support and encouragement as they move through their course work. They may have the end goal in mind but many times daily life can get in the way and they lose their vision. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Garry, Thank you for these excellent comments in relation to the student population you are serving and how their past experiences are impacting their learning today. I commend you for the "hooks" you are helping your students to use as they learn the complex applications of math and accounting. I know seeing them smiling and/or recounting a positive experience in relation to what they need to remember on a test is what keeps you coming back to the classroom on a regular basis. You are impacting lives and leaving a legacy. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Tamara, Students really perk up when they have stories from the field shared with them. These stories increase the value of the content being shared and illustrates to the students the relevance of the content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Graham, Good strategy to follow. Change of pace and variety in delivery are two ways to keep students engaged. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Harrison, As the learning leader you set the boundaries for the course and what is going to occur within it. You have a clear and concise syllabus that lays everything out and this reduces the opportunities for students to slide through one of the cracks in your evaluation scheme. Well done. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Donna, Little things like interacting with them before class along with knowing their names all contribute to their seeing themselves as having value to you the instructor. This increases their motivation and desire to do well in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Karen, This is why I use 3X5 cards upon which students give me feedback at different times throughout the course. This way I can keep my finger on the pulse of the class and make any adjustments I need to while the course is still being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Donna, Student feedback is how improvement occurs. The more we listen to and get feedback from our students the more information we will have from which to make instructional changes and adaptations. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Increasing Student Retention

Donna, This is one of the enjoyable parts of teaching. Instructors get to be creative in their planning so they can make learning engaging for their students. This is a win win situation for everyone. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Tamara, What a great strategy to use. You not only have your students focused on Thursdays and the articles but you have them engaged every day of the week leading up to Thursdays. They are taking the content of the class outside and into their lives as the search for the articles and learn about what topic they are going to discuss. The example you gave is a good one because it involved two of your own students who had a story to tell that was well beyond the topic of the housing market. Their stories made the discussion real… >>>

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