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Be a Course Instructor: Difference between revisions
→How can Protospace support its instructors better?
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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. | 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 === | ===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. | 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. | ||
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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. | ||
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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 | Good teachers inspire others to learn. Link people to training materials. You are a volunteer and classes at Protospace are for the self-motivated. | ||
If you can, help find what motivates people to self study: | |||
*Perhaps they have a project they are keen to do | *Perhaps they have a project they are keen to do | ||
*Perhaps they are closer to knowing a subject than they think and a prompt of "This is actually pretty close to | *Perhaps they are closer to knowing a subject than they think and a prompt of "This is actually pretty close to <insert something they already know>" is what they need to go that extra mile | ||
*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 [https://wiki.protospace.ca/Be_a_Course_Instructor#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. | |||
If you feel comfortable running an online session, feel free to do so. Google Meet or Discord are probably the best free tools for video conferencing. A Zoom subscription would work too. | |||
===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. | |||
==How can Protospace support its instructors better?== | ==How can Protospace support its instructors better?== | ||
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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/ the forum] | ||
Keep the classroom and tools in good | Keep the classroom and tools in good order and ready to use. | ||
Some ideas that have been suggested and/or require development: | Some ideas that have been suggested and/or require development: | ||
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*[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/30?u=kent Volunteer Only Special Events] a paid-for-by-Protospace subsidized-by-training-fees night to a comedy club, laser tag, arcade, movie, nerf battle etc | *[https://forum.protospace.ca/t/input-wanted-how-can-we-make-instructing-courses-easier/1236/30?u=kent Volunteer Only Special Events] a paid-for-by-Protospace subsidized-by-training-fees night to a comedy club, laser tag, arcade, movie, nerf battle etc | ||
*[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 | ||
*A "Train the trainer" type of course to help new folks get their feet wet | *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 | |||
*Figure out a more turnkey video conferencing solution for members who want to run online courses | |||