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

Instructors as Role Models

Judith, Thank you for these comments on instructors as role models. They are comprehensive and on target. We instructors need to remember that we are role models in all walks of our lives both within and outside of school just as you mention. This is a part of who we are and how we impact the lives of our students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Shantel, Like this approach. You are getting them our of their "loss for an answer" cycle and getting them to do a rethink that enables them to come up with possible solutions. I know they will use this same strategy once they are out in the workplace. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Using Reflective Thinking

Tracey, I can this strategy "connecting the dots". You are helping your students through reflective questioning to use the content that has been shared and apply it to solve real life problems. The more experience they have in this the greater their depth of experience will be. This sets them up for success in the workplace. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Shantel, This is such a comprehensive approach to patient care. If your students will put forth the effort necessary to acquire the knowledge and skills as you have outlined them then they are going to be successful in their field. They need to understand that you are holding them to this standard for a reason and that is quality professional patient care. By understanding this they are going to sought after and become successful in their field. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Shantel, You hit upon something that a lot students don't want to hear about and that is hard work. We all got to where we are through hard work. Sometimes our students think we were given our positions without any effort. The more you can help them to see the value of hard work and self discipline the more you will be providing them a life long gift toward success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Tracey, You have touched on the core of critical thinking. You are so right about the need for personal discipline. With it lacking in so many of today's students it is a hard concept for them to understand. They think with the internet problem solving and critical thinking is no longer needed. The more you can do to help them see that through self discipline they will increase their career potential the better. Keep up the good work. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Re: Effective Retention Strategies

Nieva, Three great ways to increase student excitement about the field and to get them engaged. I use all three in my classes for the reasons you list. These three really help to get students motivated and seeing the value of what is being taught. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Leslie, You do have a challenge in your Basic College Math class because as you well know this is not a favorite class of students. So many of them come with a fear of math so they aren't excited about being in the class. You are on the right track with your securing of applications made of math in the welding field. To expand on this if possible could you get case studies or problems that would require math to solve in relation to welding? Maybe they are being asked to fabricate something requiring angles so they have to work… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Jennifer, This is a very good point about how to help students to become critical thinkers. It is important to help them see that they can expand their abilities in the thought processing area if they are willing to take the risk. They need to be able to analyze information and not just depend on the latest google search. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Omolola, This is a very good observation. I have observed the same thing with my own students. This is why we instructors need to use activities that will engage all of our students and give our more timid students opportunities to share their thoughts and give input. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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