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

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Diego, Very important point. Empathy goes a long way in earning the respect of students while helping you to develop rapport with them. The result will be students that are invested in themselves and their future. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Donna, Well said and important reminder for all instructors to remember. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Stacy, Good way to open up a new class and get everybody settled in. You are learning so much about your students with this approach. I am a big fan of guest speakers as well. They really motivate the students with their stories and examples. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

Karen, Very understandable. This is a tough challenge to meet because you have to cover the content yet keep the students engaged. Something I have done when teaching a course like this is to look at elementary teaching websites. I get a lot of creative ideas from them and then I translate those ideas into age and content activities I can use with my students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Tula, I commend you for your ability to engage your students in the learning process to the point that your age or at least your appearance is not an issue. Your competence and confidence become more important to the students and this is exactly where you want them to be in relation to understanding the value of the course they are taking. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Debi, You are helping your students to get settled into the course while learning a lot about them as well. Sounds like a fun introduction time along with a "reading" when you are seeing how the students are going to fit into the course and how you can reach each one of them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Lennox, When all of this is happening it is fun to be a teacher. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Alan, Change of pace and variety are the two elements of engagement for students. You are using both with your approach not to mention a few laughs along the way. Good job. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Karl, Knowing they are respected and valued are two important parts of helping students see how they fit into a course. Reinforcing them as needed increases the value they attach to the course and what is being covered. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Karen, Such an important concept. Each class has something to offer and it is gaining the knowledge that comes with the insights or nuggets that build toward a specific knowledge base or skill set at the end of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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