Friday, October 30, 2009

Instructing

I have been assisting on an instructor’s course (designed to assist knowledgeable folks in getting in front of a class and passing on their experience and an approved subject matter).  A question that has come up (several times), is why on these types of course's, the Instructor Trainers not 'teach' the actual material to demonstrate to the student instructors the standard.
When I was in the military this was a common way of developing instructors.  In the basic class we followed 'EDI' i.e.: 'explanation' ‘demonstration' followed by 'imitation'.  The instructor breaks things down into manageable parts; explains it, demonstrates it and has the student imitate the skill.  The main instructor (depending on the type of course) 'taught' every subject, and then the student instructors did the same.  Yes I know; time is of an essence and this may not always be possible in the work world, but the principal can and should be followed for maximum results.  People learn best by watching successful people.
Instructing is a skill (yes I know it is also partly an art) it can be taught.  Many instructor's are out there making rookie mistakes that they don't recognize... and no one has taken the time (nor in some cases are they {the instructor} willing to listen) to point out their errors and shortfalls (in presentation and instructing ability not subject knowledge).
Every good instructor must allow feedback that is trouble free to the student (i.e.: is not going to cause the student grief if the instructor doesn't like what he hears).  Every instructor must review the results of training and decide if the shortfalls are because of his or her shortcomings in passing the knowledge or skill and not because of a lack of some sort among the student group or his or her materials.
This all seems like common sense, but as we all know there is very little 'common' sense out there, too often we all do 'what is right in our own eyes'.
Take confidential feedback from all of your classes or course's, review results and your efforts.  Recognize your shortfalls, your equipment or training aids deficiencies and take steps (within your abilities) to improve.
Students will enjoy taking your classes.
Have a safe day.  js