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 Clear Goals and Objectives

Leslie, They are essential if the students are going to understand where the course is going and what they will accomplish in the process. This gets everyone on the same page and with the same understanding and from there on it is personal growth and career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Nathanael, This is such a good approach to use in helping your students understand the standards of their field. By dressing the part and then giving real world examples and case studies for your students to consider you are showing them the realism of the field. By having this information the transition for your students from the classroom to the workplace will be much easier. Keep up the good work! Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Ernest, I like this approach. It is brings such a wide variety of elements together to benefit the students as they expand their critical thinking skills. The use of the sub groups is a great way to help the students learn how to work with others to solve mutual problems. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Increasing Student Retention

Nieva, This is such a good ongoing reminder of why they need to keep working hard in the course for the duration. It is easy to bet bogged down with daily life and outside pressures to the point that they forget why they are enrolled and how this course will help them be successful. Their own words are those reminders. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Leslie, These are two great strategies to provide support to your students. By letting them know you respect them as individuals and are there to support their learning efforts you are bringing the human factor to the class. This is what will earn their respect as start the development of trust. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Edgar, Adults need to feel a sense of empowerment in their decision to be in school and expand their career potential. Many adults are concerned that upon returning to school they will fail because they cannot compete with younger students. It is important to help them have early success in the class and develop self confidence in their ability to use their life experiences to help them move through the material. With early course success their motivation level increases because they see that their hard work and self discipline is paying off. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Instruction Relevant

Angela, Yes, it does. You are helping them to be cutting edge with both content and understanding so their transition to the workplace will be much easier. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Angela, Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. You are doing both with your approach and as a result you are touching on the different learning preferences of your students throughout the duration of the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Nieva, Thank you for sharing this student interaction. Like the style of the second student because he or she knows how to take charge of his or her future and shape it in a way that will yield successful results. This is truly the human factor in all of this. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Nieva, Good way to help your students to prepare for the dynamics of the workplace. No matter the career field the ability to work with colleagues and produce positive results is a must. The more you can help them in this area the stronger they are going to be upon graduation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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