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Be a Course Instructor: Difference between revisions
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== | ==Courses vs. Classes== | ||
= | |||
It's important to know the difference between a course and a class. | |||
A course is like “Gardening 101”. A class is when you teach Gardening 101 at "3:00 pm next Wednesday". | |||
[[File:Course_vs_class.jpg|alt=]] | |||
==Create a Class== | ==Create a Class== | ||
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To create a course: | To create a course: | ||
#Contact a Protospace | #Contact a [Mailto:directors@protospace.ca|Protospace director] or Tanner to grant instructor permissions to your account | ||
#Once your account has instructor permissions, you can create courses (or update course descriptions) in Spaceport: | #Once your account has instructor permissions, you can create courses (or update course descriptions) in Spaceport: | ||
#[[File:Create-a-course.webm|none|thumb|A walk-through on creating a course on Spaceport as of March 2022]]<br /> | #[[File:Create-a-course.webm|none|thumb|A walk-through on creating a course on Spaceport as of March 2022]]<br /> | ||
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Great! | Great! | ||
If you are comfortable running a class, select the course and [ | If you are comfortable running a class, select the course and [[#Create_a_Class|create a class]] | ||
If you want to run a class for a course that doesn't exist, [ | If you want to run a class for a course that doesn't exist, [[#Create_or_Update_a_Course|create the course]] first | ||
If you aren't comfortable yet, the next step is to take a look at the [https://my.protospace.ca/classes upcoming classes] and approach an instructor about [ | If you aren't comfortable yet, the next step is to take a look at the [https://my.protospace.ca/classes upcoming classes] and approach an instructor about [[#Shadowing_and_Co-instructing|shadowing or co-instructing]]. It never hurts to ask on the forum! | ||
===Running classes take a lot of time=== | ===Running classes take a lot of time=== | ||
They can, but don't have to. You are the instructor, feel free to break the class up over multiple sessions. | They can, but don't have to. You are the instructor, feel free to break the class up over multiple sessions. | ||
If a class takes too much time out of the day: be extra diligent to run [ | If a class takes too much time out of the day: be extra diligent to run [[#Run_classes_on_your_schedule|courses on your time]] by declaring hard stops, keeping an eye on the clock, and calling out how much time is left before you have to run. | ||
If classes takes too much time out of your month: run less classes each month. Avoid burnout. | If classes takes too much time out of your month: run less classes each month. Avoid burnout. | ||
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That's ok. Sometimes life is busy. Maybe things will calm down in a few months and then will be a good time to pick it up. | That's ok. Sometimes life is busy. Maybe things will calm down in a few months and then will be a good time to pick it up. | ||
Alternatively, you could try [ | Alternatively, you could try [[#Running_classes_take_a_lot_of_time|strategies to soften the time commitments]]. Book a half day to be at Protospace and allot 1-2 of those hours running a course. | ||
===Teaching is its own skill=== | ===Teaching is its own skill=== | ||
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*Balance theory and practice - Theory is great for sharing good [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_model mental models] and bad for hands-on experimentation. Practice is great for hands-on experimentation but not great for developing good mental models. Try to address both during a class and go back and forth between them. Theory should inform practice. Practice should demonstrate theoretical concepts. | *Balance theory and practice - Theory is great for sharing good [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_model mental models] and bad for hands-on experimentation. Practice is great for hands-on experimentation but not great for developing good mental models. Try to address both during a class and go back and forth between them. Theory should inform practice. Practice should demonstrate theoretical concepts. | ||
Don't be shy to ask questions about effective teaching on the forum or by [ | For more reference, [https://wiki.protospace.ca/images/0/06/Transport_Canada_Flight_Instructors_Guide_Learning_Factors.pdf Transport Canada's Flight Instructors Guide] has a great guide on helping others learn and strategies to do this. | ||
You may also consider contacting the instructor for Protospace's [https://my.protospace.ca/courses/442 Train the Trainer course] | |||
Don't be shy to ask questions about effective teaching on the forum or by [[#Shadowing_and_Co-instructing|shadowing]] more experienced instructors to see how they do it. | |||
===Public speaking makes me nervous=== | ===Public speaking makes me nervous=== | ||
This is natural. Unfortunately, the only way to get over this is to jump in. Fortunately, as you build positive experiences, these nerves will disappear over time. Here are some suggestions to make those first few times a positive experience: | This is natural. Unfortunately, the only way to get over this is to jump in. Fortunately, as you build positive experiences, these nerves will disappear over time. Here are some suggestions to make those first few times a positive experience: | ||
*Start by [ | *Start by [[#Shadowing_and_Co-instructors|shadowing or co-instructing]] a course. Having a copilot takes the spotlight off you. You can also see how other folks do it and get comfortable | ||
*Book your first couple courses for a smaller audience. Load those courses with people you already know and are familiar with | *Book your first couple courses for a smaller audience. Load those courses with people you already know and are familiar with | ||
*Take a deep breath and speak slowly. Part of anxiety and nerves is the positive feedback loop between your heartbeat and your nerves. The faster your heartbeats, the more nervous you get, which causes your heart to beat faster, etc etc. Fortunately, this works in the reverse: take a deep breath to slow your heart down, which will help calm down your nerves. | *Take a deep breath and speak slowly. Part of anxiety and nerves is the positive feedback loop between your heartbeat and your nerves. The faster your heartbeats, the more nervous you get, which causes your heart to beat faster, etc etc. Fortunately, this works in the reverse: take a deep breath to slow your heart down, which will help calm down your nerves. | ||
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*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 [ | *This person might be interested in becoming a trainer. Try to make it a good experience for them and [[#Your_Makerspace_community_uses_tools_better|Protospace could be gaining a valuable asset]] | ||
*Knowledgeable people are [ | *Knowledgeable people are [[#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. | 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 [ | Similar to [[#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. | 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. | ||
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===Students are missing prerequisite information=== | ===Students are missing prerequisite information=== | ||
Sometimes prerequisites might need to be handled by [ | Sometimes prerequisites might need to be handled by [[#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. | 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. | ||
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===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=== | ||
Classes take priority over projects. Politely let them know you're about to run a course on it and to finish up. If they give you any difficulty on that, contact a director. | Classes take priority over projects. Politely let them know you're about to run a course on it and to finish up. If they give you any difficulty on that, contact a director. | ||
==Why become an instructor?== | |||
===Your Makerspace stays financially solvent=== | |||
Members who use tools stick around longer. Members stick around = more recurring revenue | |||
Students often pay money to access training. Protospace uses that money for tool repairs and even new tools. You made that happen! | |||
===Your Makerspace community gets better tools=== | |||
Makerspaces with knowledgeable makers use tools properly. Tools will break less, are maintained better and may even be actively improved by those that want more out of them. | |||
===Your network gets bigger and serendipitous=== | |||
Makerspaces attracts a bunch of neat people. Running courses is a great way to meet many of them. This makes coming to space more fun and friendly. | |||
Better yet, you're immediately in their good graces by helping clear them on a tool and making their projects a reality. The effects of [https://conceptually.org/concepts/6-principles-of-influence/ reciprocity] are real - maybe they can do something to help you that you don't know about until you meet them. | |||
===Your Makerspace gets cooler tools=== | |||
Tools that no one uses can't justify the space they take up. Those tools end up falling into disrepair and end up being sold or junked. | |||
By having a reliable and robust group of trainers and knowledge sharing, we can justify getting cool new tools because the training infrastructure is in place to teach members how to use it. Members who use tools will demand they stay around and in good working order. | |||
===Teaching makes you more knowledgeable=== | |||
Teaching well requires a strong grasp of the subject. Forcing yourself to teach forces you to understand the subject better - simplifying your own understanding, articulating it to the less experienced, concocting new ways to describe ideas are all ways that deepen and broaden your understanding of a subject. | |||
Every now and again, someone you trained will continue down the path you set them on and teach you something you didn't know. This has happened numerous times at Protospace already! | |||
===Your Makerspace gets better in ways we can't conceive of=== | |||
Member training is an essential element to acquire new members and keep Protospace running as churn inevitably happens. Historically, training has fallen to a small group. That group is quite passionate about Protospace, which is why they do so much training. But those members have fun ideas for Protospace too. If they are stuck training courses, they have no energy doing another improvement - maybe they want to build or improve a tool we already have, contribute and setup a new tool or build an improvement to the space. | |||
The more members that take on training, the lower the opportunity cost is for all members. | |||
===Ego boost=== | |||
Nothing keeps down imposter syndrome like empowering a bunch of people to use a tool they never thought they could before. Not just anyone is capable of using said tool, let alone showing others how to. | |||
==Make it easy to run classes== | ==Make it easy to run classes== | ||
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===Use existing course materials wherever possible=== | ===Use existing course materials wherever possible=== | ||
Existing course materials are available [ | |||
Existing course materials are available [[#Where_can_I_access_course_materials.3F|here]]. Existing course materials could extend to many things - a youtube video that's particularly good, an article, an animated gif that explains how something works or even a book. | |||
It isn't cheating to use what already exists, either. Part of being a good teacher is curating good sources of information! | It isn't cheating to use what already exists, either. Part of being a good teacher is curating good sources of information! | ||
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===Shadowing and Co-instructing=== | ===Shadowing and Co-instructing=== | ||
Shadowing = Attending a course and seeing how it functions. You don't pay for these courses and you don't get certified from them. | Shadowing = Attending a course and seeing how it functions. You don't pay for these courses and you don't get certified from them. | ||
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===Prioritize your comfort=== | ===Prioritize your comfort=== | ||
Take breaks - 5 minute break for every 55 minutes is a good recommendation. | Take breaks - 5 minute break for every 55 minutes is a good recommendation. | ||
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===Encourage students to self-study=== | ===Encourage students to self-study=== | ||
Good teachers inspire others to learn. Link people to training materials. You are a volunteer and classes at Protospace are for the self-motivated. | Good teachers inspire others to learn. Link people to training materials. You are a volunteer and classes at Protospace are for the self-motivated. | ||
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*Perhaps they are daunted by how challenging or difficult a subject is and need a beginners guide with a [https://selfawareness.blog/beginners-mind-to-be-an-expert/ beginners mind] | *Perhaps they are daunted by how challenging or difficult a subject is and need a beginners guide with a [https://selfawareness.blog/beginners-mind-to-be-an-expert/ beginners mind] | ||
Try to speak to those motivations that while you [ | Try to speak to those motivations that while you [[#Where_can_I_access_course_materials.3F|direct them to training resources]]. Check in and ask if they have questions. | ||
===Do classes online=== | ===Do classes online=== | ||
Many courses - or parts of them - can be done remotely. This reduces logistical burden from getting everyone in the space spot. | Many courses - or parts of them - can be done remotely. This reduces logistical burden from getting everyone in the space spot. | ||
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===Run classes on your schedule=== | ===Run classes on your schedule=== | ||
As the instructor, you dictate how your class is run. If you are limited on time, declare your hard stop before class starts and maintain a pace to get there. Don't be shy about cutting off questions if you have to go, even if you're planning to stick around at Protospace and work on a project. You are a volunteer and being deliberate around how much of that time is going to teaching is the best thing you can do to prevent burnout '''and''' teach a class, both of which helps Protospace tremendously. | As the instructor, you dictate how your class is run. If you are limited on time, declare your hard stop before class starts and maintain a pace to get there. Don't be shy about cutting off questions if you have to go, even if you're planning to stick around at Protospace and work on a project. You are a volunteer and being deliberate around how much of that time is going to teaching is the best thing you can do to prevent burnout '''and''' teach a class, both of which helps Protospace tremendously. | ||
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*[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/9?u=kent Collecting a fraction of course fees] - Suggested by Mike M | *[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/9?u=kent Collecting a fraction of course fees] - Suggested by Mike M | ||
*[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/55?u=kent A "Train the trainer" type of course] to help new folks get their feet wet. Bill Elliot has volunteered a course like this | *[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/55?u=kent A "Train the trainer" type of course] to help new folks get their feet wet. Bill Elliot has volunteered a course like this | ||
*Implement a "Number of Students waiting for this Course" feature in Spaceport. This helps instructors know how big backlogs are | *Implement a "Number of Students waiting for this Course" feature in Spaceport. This helps instructors know how big backlogs are. (This has been done.) | ||
*Figure out a more turnkey video conferencing solution for members who want to run online courses | *Figure out a more turnkey video conferencing solution for members who want to run online courses | ||
== Offering your Course to Members of the Public, or Friends and Family of Protospace Members == | |||
While many courses offered at Protospace are geared to members' safe and effective use of Protospace tools and equipment or general safety, consider if your course can be a value-added benefit to the Protospace community and potential members of the general public. If you feel your course can be offered safely to non-members please ensure that: | |||
#There is supervision (children must be within vision at all times) | |||
#Safety protocols have been followed (specific to the activity and the space such as exits, washrooms, and emergency protocols) | |||
#They have signed the waiver (same waiver for guests) | |||
#The activity is noted in the insurance policy (Broker: John Kearney 403-221-7243) | |||
#Protospace agrees to the class offered to non-members | |||