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 Critical Thinking Skills

Karl, You make a good point and that is why it is so important to provide numerous opportunities for the students to problem solve and do critical thinking. The more experience they have in the classroom the better prepared they are going to be in the workplace. I use a lot of case studies with my students to get them thinking about what they will be facing in the real world. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Beverly, This is so true and yet something that many students are not willing to invest in acquiring. The more you know the more options you have from which to come up with a solution. Acquiring this knowledge requires hard work and self discipline something many of our students don't want to do. Those that do can see the results in their career development and success. I bring these students back into my courses and have them share their message with my current students so they will be motivated to learn even more. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Andrew, Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery and you are doing such with your approach. This way they can keep their focus and use their learning preferences to take in the needed content. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Adapting Your Instructional Strategy

Andrew, Thank you for sharing this example with us. This is the kind of creative instruction that gets the message across to students and helps that message to be put in their working memory bank for use later. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

Paul, This is one of the benefits of being in a college class as a student. For the time that the student is enrolled in the course he or she has access to an expertise in the field and someone that is there to support their learning. This is why they should ask questions and try to learn all they can so they will be better prepared when they transition to their employment. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Sean, This is a good point in that college students have chosen to pay tuition and enroll in the course they are taking. Yet many of them do no want to come to class or do the required work. They just want to purchase an A with their tuition. They feel entitled to get whatever they want. The real world does not operate that was as we know and this is a lesson they have to learn if they are going to have any career success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Paul, Yes, it does. Being excited about teaching and having passion for your field goes a long way in engaging students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Understanding Learner Characteristics

Sean, This is why conveying information and being a learning leader is such a challenge. We need to strive to get our message across, keep our student engaged and promote their career development as we help them prepare for their chosen occupation. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Comprehensive Planning for Instructional Success

Jeff, Sounds like you are ready to go in terms of starting your own class. It was great that you were able to observe other instructors and see how they approach the instructional process. I know you now have a number of ideas about how you are going to conduct your own course and develop your instructional style. I wish you much teaching success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

John, This is a great check for understanding to use as you start a new course. You are challenging your students to be thinkers in relation to what they know and how they can use this knowledge. This is a strategy that instructors in other fields could use as well. Thanks for sharing it with us. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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