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

Your Instructional Style

Lydie, This is an important ability to have since each class changes and that requires adjustments in how content is presented and student interaction conducted. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Graphic Organizers

LaTonya, This is a good way to engage students and hold them responsible for the learning process. By having them complete diagrams you are showing them the learning pathway and then they are collecting information and putting it into their notes for future use. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Levon, You make a very good point. We need to bring our passion for our field and excitement about teaching about it to class each time it meets. To do less is to deprive students from the maximum learning they can receive from their instructor. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Valarie, Adult learners are just taller children and we need to remember that. By this I mean they like to be reinforced and receive praise just like children do. So the giving of tools, high fives or food helps them to see that you are excited for them and their learning success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Application of New Knowledge

Tammy, There is a saying that supports this approach. The saying is "To teach is to learn twice, once as a student and again as a teacher." For students this is true as well. Helping others has them in the material or skill area both as students and as a learning leader. This increases the retention level of the content for the helper students as well as those being assisted. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Levon, This is a very good point because this approach lets the instructor maintain the standards of the course and provide support to students as needed. If that student for one reason or another is not able to pass the course he or she knows that the instructor is there to help them should they return for another try at the course. This is so much better than just having the student walk out the door feeling that there was not way the could be successful in the course or school. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Valarie, I am a big fan of stories from the field for the reasons you list. They help to capture the attention of students and get them motivated when it comes realizing the value of the course content being shared. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Valarie, I like class openings like this because of the reasons you list. Ice breakers like this help to set a comfortable and supportive environment for students as they get settled into the course. As a result they see their fellow students more as colleagues and this helps when they need to work together on a project. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Christina, Thank you for your being willing to share your career experiences with your students. After 30 years of nursing you have encountered so many different situations that I know you are able to share examples with your students on every topic that you cover in the course. Also the fact you are teaching because you want to says a lot about your personality and passion for nursing and that you want to help prepare others to enter your field. This is the human factor in teaching and you are displaying it each time you step into the classroom or… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Learning

Kristin, Students like this approach as you know. It catches their attention and gets them to thinking. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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