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Permalink Reply by FETC on November 19, 2008 at 3:29pm

I find too many instructors hiding behind fancy fonts, backgrounds, pictures, videos or jokes. I find it hard at times to go to a educational delivery and have a "so called" seasoned instructor read the entire lesson plan off each and every powerpoint slide. Whatever happened to bullets and knowing the material like the back of your hand??? Multiple forms of mediums, media, props and examples???

I think what really needs to happen is some instructors who feel "bored" need focus on how to become a better presenter themselves. Introspection goes a long way!

The old days of a piece of chalk and a chalkboard seperated a good instructor from a poser.... not so much today.

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on November 19, 2008 at 3:34pm

Gotta gree with bullet points!

I'm a huge fan of "less is more".

The points are reminders of things to discuss- you can soon pick out those that know the topic versus those reading off the PPT.

I sat through 15 minutes of a presentation one day where the instructor put up the first slide, then stood there silent for about 2 minutes, then asked< "Everyone OK with that?" and moved on to the next slide and did it over again. After 15 minutes, I had a fairly robust discussion with him about the correct way to instruct a class! The amazing thing was he saw no problem with what he was doing....

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Permalink Reply by FETC on November 19, 2008 at 3:37pm

Lutan,

I read your post and busted out laughing as I have been in a similar situation as well brother!

Same sh*t different place... WOW

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on November 19, 2008 at 3:38pm

I should also add that I agree with what you've said about hiding behind PPT.

Far too many people have forgotten how to facilitate.

When looking for an instructor for my business, I have them present a session of their choice and also to facilitate a discussion of my choice (They get a week to research it). It's very hard for many to engage people, facilitate a discussion and then bring it to a close....

You mentioned the chalkboard- I'm a HUGE fan of butchers paper and textas!!! I love to lead discussions and brainstorm sessions and then hang them up around the room as reminders throughout the remainder of the class. It's a great tool for referring back to previosuly discussed topics during the session.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on November 19, 2008 at 3:44pm

Those points are well recieved by me Luta... Less is more. I have to be critical on some instructors who hide. I am not asked all that often to be a mentor for a new instructor as I am very critical on how people can influence others behavior.

I sat through a class once who a new instructor was supposedly being mentored and his mentor didn't show up that night. This new instructor is "I wanna be a firefighter post 9-11" type. The class was scheduled for 4 hours. @ 1:15 minutes into the class the instructors department (next town over) was toned out for a fire and he told the students to read the the rest of the chapter and bailed. Is this the new generation of fire instructors?? The ME generation?

Some people just don't like to hear the truth about themselves...

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Permalink Reply by Capt.Alex Arnold on November 19, 2008 at 3:57pm

I got 2 words for you....Gordon Graham. He has an excellent presentation style. He has been perfecting it for over 30 years. If you have never had the chance to see him I HIGHLY recommend it! Be safe and learn something new today.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on November 19, 2008 at 4:38pm

Great example Capt.

I lost track on how many times I have seen him. He uses an overhead projector, a clear transperancy film and a dry erase marker... his knowledge, experience and dedication to the delivery is evident. He will not deliver something he hasn't mastered. His professional showmanship comes from his ability to actcenuate on the key points, with incredible body language, verbal tones and his pocket props!

BTW: He is in high demand. 8K for him to come and deliver a seminar last time I checked...

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on November 19, 2008 at 5:01pm

A projector and markers? Been a while since I've seen anyone use that technology! Not a bad thing, I just thing people have grown used to PPT and hiding behind it, etc...

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on November 19, 2008 at 5:22pm

I've heard a lot about the Fireline courses, but not being a firey, I don't beleive I can get on them...

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Permalink Reply by Jenny Holderby on November 19, 2008 at 5:33pm

Power points are a good teaching tool. They should look professional and be informative. Make them interesting.
But they should not be THE ENTIRE lesson. I like to print the power point pages so folks can follow along & give them room to write notes next to them. I like hand outs. Don't bombard them with paper but give them something to look over later & have time to think about what they learned. In the "Everybody goes home" video series there are sections to go along with the class (most of the time) or find other short videos, even on YOU TUBE.

Don't wait until the end of the class to show a picture or give a senario. You could be there all night discussing the "what if"s".

I was in a class not long ago where the whole curriculum was a powerpoint & the instructor followed it step, by step, with no pictures & no class discussion & a monotone voice. . . BORING. . . It was no wonder people were falling asleep or doodling or texting on their cell phones.

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