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

Instructors as Role Models

Maribeth, I am a big fan of field trips for the reason you state. Being on site of where there want to practice their career goes a long way with motivation and engagement. Gives them a taste of where they can go if they apply themselves. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Ellen, Again thank you for these comments about intelligence. There are some many different forms of intelligence and we as instructors need to help our students to identify and then refine what these intelligences are. I have been researching for the past 30 years ways of assessing intelligence other than through IQ testing. I have developed an assessment called the Talent Key which identifies the three dominant intelligences of the different intelligences that Howard Gardner is found in his research. Helps my students to see how they process information and how they can expand their use of their intelligences to… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Ellen, Thank you for these good points about the necessity for personal discipline. It is so true and so important. Students want to rush to solutions or at least rush to finding through a google search the answer without developing the skill and steps required of personal discipline. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Kenny, Great strategy to follow. Our culture is based upon speed so by slowing them down and asking them to think for 10 seconds you are helping them to do a lot of internalizing and that leads to better decisions and solutions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Ellen, I like your approach. The key is being able to be objective as you look at facts. Many students seem to just want to grab facts and stick them into the middle of a problem and hope there is a solution there somewhere. By thinking through and analyzing the facts they will be able to make decisions that lead to solutions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

Tina, This is a very good approach and it enables students to look ahead to where they are going to be when they graduate. Tying their course content to their potential income opportunities helps to make the course more valuable to them and increase their engagement. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

David, This prompt feedback goes a long way in keeping students engaged. I commend you for making this effort a reality and providing the students the feedback in a way that helps them know where they are in the course and what they need to do to maintain or improve their standing. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Paula, For sure and we need to remember that each time we step in front of students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Rita, It is easy to let such students take away your job of being an instructor. I like your approach of using the positive feedback comments from students to help you see the value in what you are doing. I am always sad when I find that I have not reached each and every student but when I reflect on what I have done I know I have provided each student with the best professional skills I have so I know I can feel good that I have been a quality professional educator and that the loss really rests with… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

DANIEL, I hear you loud and clear. I am currently teaching five sections of the same course with large student enrollments. I try to make it each a little different than the others so I stay fresh in my presentation and excited about what I am teaching. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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