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

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Aprilyn, I am a big fan of case studies. I use them a lot in my classes for the reasons you list. They really get the students to thinking and problem solving. Then in our discussion time we get to hear their solutions and why they came up with the solutions they did. Great times in class when we are doing these discussions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Supporting Problem Solving Skills

Stephen, Thank you for these comments in support of modeling. Modeling by instructors is a very valuable teaching tool and one that helps to illustrate and reinforce expectations to students. We need to always be on guard in relation to how we conduct ourselves because of the role we play as models. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Teresa, Yes, this expertise does take time to develop. Students need to realize that graduation is only the start rather than the termination of their education. The ones that do are the ones that have the most successful and rewarding careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Eduardo, Thank you for this concise and complete description of critical thinking for your field. This gives a model for instructors to follow to help their students to become critical thinkers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Intelligence

Aprilyn, This is not unusual for some students. They want to make sure they are completely accurate and they feel they can only be if they memorize a standard answer to a problem. Critical thinkers are very seldom in settings that let them use a formula. They are required to think through and come up with answers so they need to step away from formulas and start using their thinking skills to problem solve. For many this is easier said than done. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasoning as a Resource

Teresa, Your last sentence really captures the essence of becoming a critical thinker. Experience is so important and often times experience requires a lot of effort to acquire. Many students want to become experts and team leaders without paying the necessary "dues" to acquire the expertise needed to work in high stress critical thinking settings such as trauma units. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reasoning as a Resource

Eduardo, This is true and students need to have experiences that will enable them to work through the experiences required to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Discipline in Critical Thinking

Aprilyn, This has been my observation as well. These students are clear on their expectations and know what it takes to be successful. I try to use them in learning groups to assist the students that are still developing their identities in relation to their careers. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Eduardo, I agree because to be problem solvers they need to look at situations from a number of different perspectives. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Critical Thinker Characteristics

Teresa, Good analysis of how critical thinkers become critical thinkers. They understand the experiences they have had and how these experiences can be applied to different problems. This is how they become problem solvers and sought after employees and/or consultants. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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