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Be a Course Instructor: Difference between revisions
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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 [ | 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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===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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*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=== | ||