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

Carlos, Right you are about clear goals and objectives setting course expectations. This way the students focus their efforts on meeting the course expectations and thus reaching the goals and objectives that have been set. This is a win win situation for everyone. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Clear Goals and Objectives

Donna, Clear and understandable goals and objectives are a must. The enable students to see where the course is going and why it is going the direction it is. Plus, they reduce student anxiety because they show students what they need to know as they move through the course so they don't have be concerned about what is going on. It is clearly laid out in the goals and objectives. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Joseph, The connection between content and application is critical. You are fortunate that your students have iPads that enable them to have such access. This way they can stay current and keep making progress in their learning. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Robyn, What are some strategies you use to determine that you are on their level and reaching their learning needs? Thanks for you input on this. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Donna, Good strategy to follow and I know your students appreciate the personal interest you show in them in relation to drawing them out and getting their contributions into the class discussion. Keep up the good work. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Summer, Thank you for mentioning accommodations because they are often the difference between success and failure for a student. By making a small adjustment the instructor can keep the student in the course and moving forward toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Summer, This is a good way to provide support because as you know students can get worn down in a course and forget that they have already learned a lot and will be learning a lot more before the end of the session. Being reminded of this can really help with their motivation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Ronald, This does have a big impact on students because it helps them to personalize the content to themselves and their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Summer, Like the way you identify the need for support and then offer ways to create such as support system if they do not have one already. This is a great service to students and will result in increased retention since they have someone to turn to when outside challenges start to overwhelm them. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Kyle, Having passion for your field and then being enthusiastic about teaching it goes a long way in getting students excited about the course content. I to had such professors in my background and they were able to get me excited about the courses they were teaching even when I thought there was not application to me or my career choice. In the end they were able to demonstrate that there was a connection and that I could benefit from their classes, even if they weren't in my field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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