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.

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Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

James, I really like your supportive and engaging style of teaching. You are respectful of the students and are showing them how if they will put forth the effort to be successful. This is what rapport development is about. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Stacy, This is always a challenge for instructors. I admire my students that have such challenges because they are trying to better their lives by being in school. When problems arise that are bigger than what they can cope with we try to provide all the support we can to keep them in school. At times this is not possible and they leave us. When they do we set up a plan that will let them come back to school whenever their lives settle down. Many of them do because they know we are there for them. Gary Gary Meers,… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Tom, Ongoing communication with all students is one strategy that is effective. It is easy to withdraw as you know in an online setting. By forming discussion groups or learning communities you can get all students interacting with the other members of their group to complete a project. Reminders and follow ups help as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Accommodating Learner Preferences

Rebecca, The more connections you can make with the course content and real world applications the more value students will attach to the course. You have a good strategy going. Keep up the good work. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Aneisha, This way the students can't say they weren't informed of what is in the syllabus. They have not only read it they have heard it as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Tom, You have a great class in which to impress upon your students the value of a positive first impression. As we know so many jobs are lost at the interview stage because of negative first impressions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Aneisha, Right you are because the syllabus informs the students of the course expectations, requirements and policies. As a result through the syllabus they know what it takes to be successful in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Tom, Good list and good strategies. All of these will contribute to the growth of your expertise and an effective and efficient instructor. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Sherri, You have a great plan laid out for yourself. You are going to do fine because you have good preparation and such an extensive background in your field. Have fun with your students use an ice breaker to start the class off while you all are doing introductions and before you know it you and your students are going to be settled into the class and have created a learning community. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Aneisha, Good definition of how an instructor can be a professional educator as well as a model for the field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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