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

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Ismail, Great to hear about your professional development. I wish you continued success as you help shape the careers of your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Shawn, Helping them to see their progress is so important once they start to wear down during the middle or latter part of the course. Once they see that they in fact have come a long way they start to get motivated and are able to finish the course with enthusiasm. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Shawn, Thank you for these targeted comments about refocusing. You have made a number of key points when it comes to keeping the classes engaging and the subject interesting. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Eric, Your examples made me smile because I have been through these same situations many times over in my field. Students would rather be dependent on me to give them the answers to where tools are stored and where materials are located than simply look around and find them on their own. In training them for their careers I stress that they have to work and think independently in relation to the basics. Yes, there are rules to follow in the workplace but these rules do not impact the basics of securing tools and materials and other foundational elements of… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Analytical Skills

Scott, Like the approach you are teaching your students in terms of trouble shooting and problem solving. Their career success is going to be based on their ability to get to the problem and fix it. The better they can do this the more respect they are going to have in the field and their financial rewards with follow them as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Reflective Thinking

Wook, Well said in terms of how reflective thinking can be used as an effective problem solving tool. Your last sentence puts it together very well in terms of the need for individuals to assess all of the issues before moving forward with problem solving. Not to do this can result in the real problem not being address or solved. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Tom, Good point and having spent some time in the kitchen I can appreciate it even more. Students need to have a clear understanding of how they will be challenged to be able to keep multiple projects going if they are going to achieve success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Eric, Great job of laying out the components of being a critical thinker. This is how individuals rise to the top in their profession and enjoy career success. This takes self discipline and a lot of hard work but it also yield great rewards. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Tom, Those that will analyze their work and determine areas of improvement will continue to develop in their professional skill sets. Those that don't will flat line early in their career. Hard to get this message across at times. The students that are not critical of their own work as they develop their knowledge and skills are then surprised when their classmates "catch all of the breaks" and get a great position. Those are not breaks they are opportunities that come as a result of a lot of hard work. Tough to sell that at times but it is true.… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Michael, Good point and a critical part of the reflective thinking process. All of us need to question when we are striving to come up with solutions to a problem. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

End of Content