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

The Learning Environment Effect

Laurie, Talk with your building engineer and see if any adjustments can be made to the temp. If you can't at least you know so you can tell your students that temp regulation is out of your control. This then helps them to see that together you all can find ways to cope with the temp doing things like you suggested like moving about. What I have found is that when students become part of the solution to a problem they are a lot more engaged even if it is something like the temperature. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Shane, Great opportunity for you to be creative and really develop your own personal style while engaging your students. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Your Instructional Style

Carole, You have a host of resources available to help you with your professional development. You are in a great position to expand your knowledge and skill as an educator. I wish you the best in these efforts. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Motivating Learners

Pixie, I agree about the instructor holding the key to student excitement in the course. It is for sure that if we are not excited about being in the class and teaching our students are not going to be excited about being in the class. We need to bring our enthusiasm each and every time we step into the classroom or lab. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Carrie, I arrive early as well so I am available to the students as well as interact with them on a more informal basis. I really enjoy these times and it helps to set the stage for the upcoming course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Laurie, For many students using professional and appropriate language is an acquired skill. To help reinforce that I give examples at the beginning of my course in order to send a signal to my students that I want them to model not only dress and conduct but language as well. Then I make a game of it by pausing when something inappropriate is said along with giving the student a smile. The student realizes that he or she has said something inappropriate and can reflect on it and I haven't disrupted the flow of the class. These ongoing reminders help… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

David, All good ways to get students to think about how are they going to develop their problem solving skills. The more examples and opportunities they have to do such the better. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

David, Well said. I like the saying "its not how smart you are but how you are smart" that determines your success in your career development. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasoning as a Resource

David, You make such a good pint about reasoning and the value of it in problem solving. This is what our students need to realize and understand as they develop their problem solving skills. They need to learn how to use common sense and reasoning to get to a successful conclusion. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

David, My opinion is that I agree with you. Some individuals can think in reflective ways much easier than others. Some students like to be spoon fed formulas or models to solve problems because they don't have to think and it is easier. You are right about the need for content and examples (I use a lot of case studies.) to get them to see that almost every job is going to require some type of problem solving. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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