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Be a Course Instructor: Difference between revisions
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That's great! This is great for a few reasons: | That's great! This is great for a few reasons: | ||
* You have a surprise co-instructor in your midst. Direct questions to this person and let them explain to your students the subject matter. Feel free to chime in with your reframes and additions. If this person turns out to not be as knowledgeable as first advertised, dial back your inclusion of them in your class | *You have a surprise co-instructor in your midst. Direct questions to this person and let them explain to your students the subject matter. Feel free to chime in with your reframes and additions. If this person turns out to not be as knowledgeable as first advertised, dial back your inclusion of them in your class | ||
* This knowledgeable student might have a thing to add to your understanding | *This knowledgeable student might have a thing to add to your understanding | ||
* This person might be interested in becoming a trainer. Try to make it a good experience for them and [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#Your_Makerspace_community_uses_tools_better Protospace could be gaining a valuable asset] | *This person might be interested in becoming a trainer. Try to make it a good experience for them and [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#Your_Makerspace_community_uses_tools_better Protospace could be gaining a valuable asset] | ||
* Knowledgeable people are [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#Your_network_gets_bigger_and_serendipitous great to have in your network] | *Knowledgeable people are [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#Your_network_gets_bigger_and_serendipitous great to have in your network] | ||
Even with all of this in mind, remember that while this student might be more knowledgeable than you on this subject, they likely are not as knowledgeable on how that subject is done at Protospace. Which tools to use, where they are located, how to maintain them, quirks to watch out for, etc are all things they will still need to be cleared on before using. | |||
===I don't feel qualified to run a class=== | ===I don't feel qualified to run a class=== | ||
Similar to [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#This_subject_is_too_complicated_to_cover_in_one_class dealing with complicated subjects], your role is not to convey the entirety of a subject - it is to get your student up and running. Chances are, if you know how to use a tool safely and can explain in clear steps how you do it - you are qualified to teach it, even if you have to muddle through it. | |||
Ask for a co-instructor or shadow another class for the course you're interested in teaching to get a sense. Post about it in the [https://forum.protospace.ca/c/administrivia/teachers-lounge/39 Teachers Lounge] as well. | |||
===I don't want to deal with disruptive jerks that may be in my class=== | ===I don't want to deal with disruptive jerks that may be in my class=== | ||
Dealing with disruptive jerks isn't your job. Volunteering to run courses is excellent enough. If you feel comfortable, remind this person they are not being excellent to you or their fellow classmates. Politely asking to refrain from disruptive behaviour should be enough. If it persists, adjourn the course and raise the issue in the [https://forum.protospace.ca/c/administrivia/teachers-lounge/39 Teachers Lounge] or contact the directors. | |||
===This subject is too complicated to cover in one class=== | ===This subject is too complicated to cover in one class=== | ||
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===Students bailing or no-showing are a buzzkill=== | ===Students bailing or no-showing are a buzzkill=== | ||
Yes it is. | |||
Sometimes life comes up, try to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor Hanlon's razor] it in your mind and reach out to the person and ask why. If it is a consistent problem, mention in on the [https://forum.protospace.ca/c/administrivia/teachers-lounge/39 Teachers lounge] and maybe we can find a solution. | |||
===I get rusty not having done a course for awhile=== | ===I get rusty not having done a course for awhile=== | ||
Try to the course regularly - even once every 2-3 months is great. This may be inevitable, so taking some time to reacquaint yourself with the machine might be necessary before instructing a class. | |||
===Students are missing prerequisite information=== | ===Students are missing prerequisite information=== | ||
Sometimes prerequisites might need to be handled by [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#Use_existing_course_materials_wherever_possible referencing additional material] before or after class. | |||
If you notice many students are missing the same prerequisite, that is a good candidate for another course or Protospace wiki page you can drive students to. | |||
Missing prerequisites is a common problem when learning a subject is more challenging than it ought to be, when computers are involved or when knowledge is taken for granted. Raise questions, observations or solutions to these issues in the [https://forum.protospace.ca/c/administrivia/teachers-lounge/39 Teachers Lounge]. | |||
===Someone is using a tool that I need to run a class on=== | ===Someone is using a tool that I need to run a class on=== | ||
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==How can Protospace support its instructors better?== | ==How can Protospace support its instructors better?== | ||
If you have a way to improve the instructor experience, please shout about it on [https://forum.protospace.ca/ the forum] | If you have a way to improve the instructor experience, please shout about it on [https://forum.protospace.ca/c/administrivia/teachers-lounge/39 the forum] or see the [https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236 original thread] | ||
Keep the classroom and tools in good order and ready to use. | Keep the classroom and tools in good order and ready to use. | ||