One of the things I enjoy most about teaching and facilitating in new environments is the learning that inevitably arises. This evening I planned and delivered a 1.5 hour workshop for pilots and CFIs on instructional strategies. It was a tough crowd, as I knew it would be, but overall, the experience was a rewarding one.
Three significant learnings:
1. Classroom Management is a consideration for children of all ages. :)
Even after so many years of doing this, I always forget that not everyone is as excited and
Three significant learnings:
1. Classroom Management is a consideration for children of all ages. :)
Even after so many years of doing this, I always forget that not everyone is as excited and
enthusiastic about teaching as I am. Just because you've spent hours thinking about the best way to put together a learning session, and researching photos for your ppt slides, and chasing down appropriate information for your handout, doesn't mean some schmuck won't try to hijack your presentation in the first five seconds, before the fruits of your labours can be fully appreciated by the masses! I definately need to go back and revisit my Wellman and Garmston, and here's another great article that includes tips for presenters, for dealing with difficult participants.
2. Man Have I Ever Learned A Lot!
Setting up for the session this evening, I remembered the first ever workshop I gave. I was in second-year university, had never facilitated or presented other than basic info at a meeting. I was such a busy person that one of my mentors thought it would be great for me to share tips and strategies for organizing your life in a workshop at a conference I was helping to organize for the institution. My "workshop" -- if it can even be called that -- was a complete bomb! I had one handout, and no plan. What a fiasco! This evening, on the other hand, I had a suitcase full of tricks, and as I set up for the session I felt 97.5% confident about how the subsequent hour would unfold. I knew that many of the participants would be there against their will, and I knew that seeking their prior input, including relevant examples in my presentation, infusing humour where appropriate, and keeping things moving would help hook most of them. I also had a pretty great ppt and some nice music. Definately a change from my total wash "getting organized workshop" from 20 years ago. "We've come a long way, baby!"
3. I Am Loved!
Strangers, mentors, friends and colleagues helped me prepare for this session. It was the first time I was presenting to a group of non-teachers or non-parents. I needed wisdom and guidance from others, and others -- pilots, CFIs, colleagues -- gave it freely. I also needed gimmicks, and the grade three students I work with were only to happy to supply! They made me some posters for the wall with "tips for teaching" -- very cute: "Mac it interesting" and "Gest have fun" adorned the walls of the room I was working in. Finally, I needed emotional support. This afternoon, my colleagues at the University prayed for me, and as I was leaving the school where I teach tonight to head out to the session, my colleagues there showered me with smiles and encouragement as they wished me good luck.
I feel blessed to have the opportunity to learn so much from something so familiar.
2. Man Have I Ever Learned A Lot!
Setting up for the session this evening, I remembered the first ever workshop I gave. I was in second-year university, had never facilitated or presented other than basic info at a meeting. I was such a busy person that one of my mentors thought it would be great for me to share tips and strategies for organizing your life in a workshop at a conference I was helping to organize for the institution. My "workshop" -- if it can even be called that -- was a complete bomb! I had one handout, and no plan. What a fiasco! This evening, on the other hand, I had a suitcase full of tricks, and as I set up for the session I felt 97.5% confident about how the subsequent hour would unfold. I knew that many of the participants would be there against their will, and I knew that seeking their prior input, including relevant examples in my presentation, infusing humour where appropriate, and keeping things moving would help hook most of them. I also had a pretty great ppt and some nice music. Definately a change from my total wash "getting organized workshop" from 20 years ago. "We've come a long way, baby!"
3. I Am Loved!
Strangers, mentors, friends and colleagues helped me prepare for this session. It was the first time I was presenting to a group of non-teachers or non-parents. I needed wisdom and guidance from others, and others -- pilots, CFIs, colleagues -- gave it freely. I also needed gimmicks, and the grade three students I work with were only to happy to supply! They made me some posters for the wall with "tips for teaching" -- very cute: "Mac it interesting" and "Gest have fun" adorned the walls of the room I was working in. Finally, I needed emotional support. This afternoon, my colleagues at the University prayed for me, and as I was leaving the school where I teach tonight to head out to the session, my colleagues there showered me with smiles and encouragement as they wished me good luck.
I feel blessed to have the opportunity to learn so much from something so familiar.
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