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

Jackie, Thank you for these comments about taking care of yourself. This is an often forgotten part of being an educator. We give and give and then one day we find our bucket empty and as a result we lose our effectiveness. Yes, we need to take care of ourselves and have a balance in our lives if we are to remain effective for the long haul. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Jessica, I love these types of sessions because it is so exciting to watch the students contribute and become engaged. I like the way to have the students balance negative with positive. This requires that they see the big picture related to that topic and this is a part of becoming a critical thinker. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Elizabeth, Passion and enthusiasm are two critical parts of teaching success. We need to bring both each time we step into a classroom or lab. If we don't it is for sure our students won't be excited about being there. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Jessica, Sounds like you are making a general course engaging for your students. I teach such a course and I work very hard to show them how my content applies to their future career success. When they get the connection between my content and their future they really get excited because they start to become more aware of all the different aspects of career success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Sonia, Right you are. If we aren't excited about what we are teaching then it is for sure our students won't be either. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Mary, I teach such a course myself so I can appreciate what is occurring with your students. I use a lot of role playing, case studies and guest speakers to reinforce why my content is essential to their career success even though it is not directly tied to their field of study. The more I use examples like this the more they become engaged. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Greg, I agree these stories are powerful. I like to bring in a graduate about mid-way in the course when the students are getting worn down and starting to lose interest. These graduates tell their stories and the motivation meter really start to read at the high side. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Margaret, I use them a lot in my classes for the benefits that you list. They really get students motivated and seeing themselves in that career area if they work hard enough to graduate. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Jessica, This is what student centered instruction should be about. Adult students are concrete learners. They want to know the "whys" that go with what is being taught. Once they know the "whys" they become engaged and do great work on the projects that have been assigned. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Jessica, I use them a lot in my classes as well for the reasons you cite. These are comfortable ways to learn more about how to problem solve, make mistakes and grow without the consequences being so high. This is what learning should be about. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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