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

Motivation Through Relevancy and Application

Paul, This is a great approach because it lets the students use the knowledge they have acquired in a practical way. As a result the see the application of the material and this increases their understanding of how the material is contributing to their career growth. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Bliss, It is amazing how a few words spoken at the right time and encourage and support a student. By being available to the students before and after class for a quick chat you will send a message that you care and that you are there to help them succeed if they are willing to put forth the needed effort. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Greg, Start with a private talk with that individual and see if you can identify what the problem is in relation to quiz performance. It may be the students does not have the background or experience needed or needs to acquire some additional knowledge in order to be successful. It may be that he or she is lazy or not motivated to do well which requires a different approach. For some students it will take failing the course to get their attention. With this group I try to sell them on the idea that I know they don't like the… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Tom, Your last sentence says a lot about what we have to do as instructors. I like you love my field and can't imagine that everyone else doesn't love it as much as I do but the facts are they don't. So it is a selling job to get them to value the content that is being shared so they can move closer to their career goals and realize that this course is just one of the steps. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Dawn, The three words you use to describe how you share course content are right on in terms of helping students to stay engaged in the course. When you show compassion, introduce humor and are enthusiastic you have created the formula for learning success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Dawn, This is a fun way to get students to refine their communication skills and create a clear picture of what they want to get out of the class as well as their career. I like your idea of putting it up front and the revisiting it again later in the course. I think this is going to be a favorite with your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Offering Varied Instructional Delivery

John, This is such a good approach because it helps students to learn how to receive information through different venues just as they will when out in the workplace. Also, the variety helps to keep them engaged and forward focused. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

DANIEL, This is such a good way to open a new course because it is comfortable for students and lets them get settled into the class while talking about something they know and that is their own life experiences. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Rebecca, Important to establish the expectations right up front and then build on them from there. You are doing so and this gets everyone on the same page and thinking about what they need to do to be successful in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

John, Well put in terms of the value of goals and objectives. They need to see the basics and then build on them to create higher level units that will lead to a successful career in their field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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