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

Making Instruction Relevant

Jeff, Good way to bring consistency to students and help them prepare for the types of assessments they have ahead when they take the certification tests. Should reduce some of their fears and help them to be able to focus on performing to the best of their ability. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

James, Students as you have noticed really perk up when you share a story or example with them. These stories and examples increase the value of the course content because they show both application and relevance to what is being offered. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Stanley, Great comments on how to prepare for interacting with students. By following your suggestions instructors will earn the respect of students while forming the foundation upon which rapport will develop. By helping students to understand they have a caring and supportive learning leader there to instruct and help them move forward with their career development the students will be more engaged and a part of the learning community. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

JOHN, I agree because they need to develop cooperative work skills if they are going to be successful in the workplace as you mention. When you help this acquire this type of experience you are easing their transition from being students to being workers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Learning from Instructor and Student Introductions

Jay, Very interesting discussion and great learning experience as you say for yourself. This is one of the reasons I love teaching. We get to learn constantly from our students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

James, Thank you for making a number of very good points about student reinforcement. You are right about the need for quick turn around of student assessments and projects. This feedback is so important to keep students engaged and knowing their status in the class. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Stanley, Thank you for these good comments about how to enhance student retention. You are right about the important role faculty plays in retaining students. They are the connection between the college as a whole and the student as an individual within the college. They are the face of the college and as a result play a critical role in helping students to keep moving forward in their carer development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

James, This is a critical part of class management. Instructors need to recognize and support student input. When they do the students will open up more and feel like they are being appreciated for what they have to say. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Kat, Like your plan and way you get students settled into a new course. The results of these efforts I know give students a feeling that they are appreciated and planned for as they strive for success in the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Kat, Good advice for other instructors to follow. Your planning approach gives comfort to you as you enter the classroom as well as giving you backup when you need to make an adjustment and go a different direction in the class that session. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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