Spent a good chunk of today helping Sam Crowley teach a group of perspective instructors. Sam’s an ACA Instructor Trainer (IT) who certifies instructors who learn the skills to model and teach proper technique. More importantly he’s a good friend and a very considerate houseguest. Sam always brings flowers to my wife when he says with us. Very smart man, Sam is.
It’s not a yard sale. Really.
Sam asked me to teach one of the stroke sections. So I did, and it was fine. I asked for feedback and I got a really good piece of information. Basically, I talk too much. The analytical students were sucking it all up. The others were looking at their watches and wondering when I was going to shut up.
So the best thing I learned today was that the less you talk, the more people learn, and if you can give specifics after the students model the behavior, they’ll probably solve a lot of problems on their own.
So while I taught, I was really learning. I think that most people divide the world into “learning time” and “teaching time.” I got to experience the pleasure of teaching and the humility that comes from being taught by someone with a real talent for tailoring content to the type of learners. Something I need to consider in the future.
When Sam modeled techniques the students were riveted. They were all like sponges, and it was a pleasure to be around so many positive and enthusiastic people.
Respectfully submitted,
Canoelover
Please share your rock star analogy for teaching the head dink.
You want Ray Charles, not Stevie Wonder. 🙂
i know john's enjoying his course! can't wait for him to be able to teach me and the boys! 🙂 Thanks for giving him the opportunity, Darren.
prospective