My friends, please. :)
There's no need for this. Different folks have different methods of instruction. Some folks start from A-Z....some folks start knowing that their intended pupils have already achieved a certain level of understanding about the application in question. (Even some instruction books will say that "This instruction is intended for those who have an intermediate level of proficiency/understanding." It need not be a source of strife among us. :)
When I was in the Army, I had to take Primary Leadership Development Course in order to attain my sergeant (E-5) grade. As part of my own learning, I had to give a course on "radio communications". Now, this is something that we are already taught in basic training, but I think they have us (as NCO-ready students) give courses on basic training elements so that we become accustomed to being instructors in the future. Thankfully, radio communications was something I excelled at, so the class I had to give was a cinch. Question was: "How to present the class?". As I stated before, this is a class that is already covered when we go through basic training, but, we have to assume that our "students" are basic trainees themselves. Therefore, we go back to basics. Now, I didn't come across like a drill sergeant...that wasn't the purpose of my block of instruction, as prescribed to me by my instructors. I used terms that weren't overly simple, but that were easily relatable, so that even a recruit would get my meaning. By the time all was said and done, two of my instructors walked up to me and said: "We really enjoyed how you gave that class. Specialist, you need to go for 'instructor' status back at your unit as soon as possible." That made me feel good. (In fact, the unit I was in, I was actually going to go to drill sergeant school, until certain tragic events forced me to withdraw from the school before it began. I was still promoted to sergeant though, and did my best to make sure that if I had to give a block of instruction, everyone got it.)
As a little side note, when I began PLDC, as our instructor had us stand up and introduce ourselves, something possessed me when it came my turn. When I stood up, I gave my name, and added: "And I will make it my personal mission to ensure that NO ONE in this platoon drops out." My instructor, (a sergeant first class) simply looked at me as if I'd just said something boastful. Even I was like "Oh, boy, what did I say, and why did I say it?" But I knew that PLDC would be something I would take to with great affinity. I aced every test I took, save for the last one, where I missed one lousy question. (Thus why I graduated at second place, just a razor's edge from first. :) ). However, we are told that if we fail a test, we are given one retest. If we fail the retest, we are dropped from the school. Well, some students had failed some of their first tests. They looked at me, and said: "Ok, Specialist Dunlap, we need your help, if what you said is true." I convened them for my own remedial class at the commons area of our barracks, and I did not release them until
they felt that they were ready. I did this anytime a student failed a test. I am pleased to report that
my platoon was the
only platoon with a 100 percent graduation rate. All other platoons had at least one drop out. My instructor shook my hand, admitted that at first he thought I was pretty presumptuous at the beginning of the course, but that I now had his utmost respect, and then said that if there was anything I ever needed, to call on him.
Ever since PLDC (which I graduated second place, missing the top by only one and a half points....aggghhhhhh! LOL), I have endeavored to maintain that style of instruction, whenever I do any kind of teaching or tutorial work. But that is simply my style. It is not better than anyone else's. :)
I am glad that those who have read this tutorial have found it helpful. But if
anyone has
anything at all to add that might enhance the tutorial, or cover something I may have missed, please, always feel free to add such pointers. We all learn from experience, and from each other. :)
Live Long and Prosper,
Friendly neighborhood Martok2112
"Incompetence will always prevail so long as evil men stand by and do nothing."
-Martok2112