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

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Caryn, Good way to get your students to expand their thinking and start to develop their problem solving skills. They are going to need such skills in the workplace so they need to develop this skill set while students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

John-Howard, Your discussion on how learning maturity should develop is right on. The key as you mention is the ability to see situations, break then down into need areas and then strive to come up with solutions. This is what is going to be expected of them in the work place so they need to learn how to work through these steps while students. Thank you for sharing this perspective with us. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Thomas, Your last sentence really captures the essence of how we need to plan our instruction. Our students need to be able to see the relevancy and application of the course content if they are going to associate value with it and dedication to learning it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Richard, As the learning leader they see you in a position of experience, knowledge and expertise. This is a position that needs to be reflected on and shared with students. This is what will enhance the development of respect and rapport with your students. Keep up the sharing process. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Thomas, This is a great strategy to use to get them to see the extensive experiences they and their classmates bring to the class. This way they know they can work together to think critically and solve problems. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Frank, This is a very good perspective to share with students. They need to know it is up to them and they are not entitled to a grade just because they enrolled and paid tuition. They must earn their grades and create a future for themselves. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Thomas, Thank you for these good comments about instructor enthusiasm. It takes both enthusiasm and passion for one's field to "sell" the content to students so the will see the value of what they are being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Richard, Good way to show students that they are missed and that their attendance and success in school is important to everyone, especially their instructors. This is the human factor in action. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Nieva, This is a great way to increase the ROI of your course for students. Having a graduate speak makes the content come alive and have value in terms of why it is being presented. I use graduates frequently in my classes for the reasons you list. They are great motivators. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Nieva, Great motivators all. You are right about students relishing reinforcement and support. Adults are just taller children and we need to remember that as we plan how we are going to reinforce our students. My students will work very hard to earn a treat or pizza day just as did my middle schoolers when I taught on that level. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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