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.

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Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

CHRISTOPHER, You got that right and we need to bring both each time we step into a teaching situation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Feeling Accepted Helps with Success

CHRISTOPHER, So important and so true. This helps the students to get settled in and not be distracted by the environment but see it as being supportive. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

GORDON, Good point because this is how we are able to engage and keep the interest of our students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Creating Personal Support Systems

Marcellina, Good strategy because it helps and supports everyone in the class as well as giving each student someone they can call on should they need to. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Implementing Relevant Course Content

Lyndsie, I tend to be a bit dramatic and generally give a lead in that captures their attention and then go into the brainstorming session. For example, I was driving down the road when I saw a deer standing on the shoulder looking like she was going to dart into traffic behind her I saw her fawn as well. The question is what should I do to be safe and hopefully not hit the deer or her fawn. Then we go from there. Students like the cliffhanger kind of lead ins. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation

Lyndsie, Good strategy. I bring in graduates that have gone on to success in the field and have them share their stories. These speakers really get the students excited and increase the value of the course content to the students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Richard, This is important so the students will feel supported and comfortable. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Using a Well-prepared Syllabus

Andrew, Thank you so much for these excellent tips on how to prepare for classes. If the new instructors follow your suggestions then I know they will be ready to meet their classes and be the learning leaders they need to be. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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The Learning Environment Effect

Dina, Openings like this are much like fishing. You are chumming the water in order to get the attention of the students and help get them engaged in the learning process to come. These are fun activities and the students start to look forward to them each time the class meets. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

DANIEL, There is a saying that supports your approach. It goes "to teach is to learn twice, once as a student again as the teacher." This is what happens when students make presentations. They really do get deeply involved in the material and this increases their ability to remember the content and make application of it. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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