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

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Charmian, Spoken like a dedicated professional educator. We cannot stay with what we are doing if it isn't working. Making modifications and adaptations are critical to keep students engaged. This is why I like to get to class early and chat with the students as they file in. I get a "read" on the class that day and can adjust my instructional plan based upon what I find out. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Sam, Not unusual. I see many of these students myself so I can really appreciate where you are coming from. These best we can do is to support them and give them counsel in terms of their future. I try to help them shape their realistic goals into realistic goals. If I'm not successful I do know that I have given them a picture of the real world they will be facing and that with some experience they will find out what having realistic goals will bring you. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

LaToya, This is such an important part of learning for students. They see in you a person to admire as well as model after. This helps them to put their life challenges into perspective and increases their dedication to success. Keep up the good work. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Sam, This is a fun place to be because you have the content down. The creative part is finding new and different ways to deliver it. Enjoy discovering news strategies and methods for your course. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

John, Student acceptance is a powerful learning tool. Knowing someone in authority respects you greatly enhances the feeling a student has toward a class and his/her success. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Chuck, I really like your approach to starting off a new class plus I like your attitude about helping to educator the next generation of individuals entering your field. You are creating a legacy for yourself and that legacy is the students you have. You have many years of experience that translates into "real world" information that these students need to know. What a great gift you are giving them! Keep up the good work and I wish you many more years of sharing. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Sam, Different twist on retention and a good one to remember. I love my field and am very excited about teaching about it but as you mention some of the topics are less than exciting. They are essential to the growth of the students so I have work hard at presenting them in a way that will keep the students focused. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasons for Enrolling

Barbara, Good point. The course standards must remain intact but the approach you take can be altered as needed in relation to students needs. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

Sam, Good point and one that needs to be reinforced. The classroom and lab is the safest place to make mistakes as well as improvement because the instructor is there to help guide the learning process. Once they are on the job the tolerance for mistakes is not there and they need to understand that while still students. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Jason, Good points about changing the pace and offering variety in instructional delivery. All of these components are needed to keep students engaged. This is why teaching is edutainment as well as delivery. Gary Dr. Gary Meers

End of Content