New Instructor!

[bigtex.308]

Hey yall I just got my instructors certification a few weeks ago. We're working on developing our presentation right now. I was just wanting to see if anybody has any advice or tips. It's hard starting a 4-5 hour class from scratch! I've been a CHL holder since I turned 21 but teaching the class is a whole new ball game.


Any advice is greatly appreciated.



Thanks!



Ike Stephens

[jbarn]

Welcome to the ranks.

You can take the DPS outline/guide or whatever it is called they sent us with the required content and use it to help you develop your own lesson plan and power point. You will likely revise it as you start teaching.

[n5wd]

Another hint is to work backwards in building your presentation.

You know what the student is supposed to know to pass the test (the objectives). Now work backwards by building your lessons around what the student is supposed to know, making sub-lessons that teach a small part of the objectives. Use the Powerpoint built-in timer to get an estimate of how long it'll take you to present all of the sub-elements so you can tell whether you need to add aditional material or compact things a little bit. View any of the videos online (either Youtube or TeachersTube) to see what makes a good presentation, and you'll be off to a good start.

[longtooth]

The outline they gave us is pretty good I think.
I am so old school & tec-ignorant that "power point" is a word that I have heard. I use the outline & several "visual aids" & am pretty animated in my presentation.
Use some of both if you choose too.

It is OK to LT is so old I dont even have available a copy machine. All my retained copies are Carbon. Even the auditor said, "Where did you get this. I didnt think they made it any more.

[sjfcontrol]

The outline they gave us is pretty good I think.
I am so old school & tec-ignorant that "power point" is a word that I have heard. I use the outline & several "visual aids" & am pretty animated in my presentation.
Use some of both if you choose too.

It is OK to LT is so old I dont even have available a copy machine. All my retained copies are Carbon. Even the auditor said, "Where did you get this. I didnt think they made it any more.

Must be tough to use that carbon paper with quill pens…

[jmra]

The outline they gave us is pretty good I think.
I am so old school & tec-ignorant that "power point" is a word that I have heard. I use the outline & several "visual aids" & am pretty animated in my presentation.
Use some of both if you choose too.

It is OK to LT is so old I dont even have available a copy machine. All my retained copies are Carbon. Even the auditor said, "Where did you get this. I didnt think they made it any more.

Well, we know what to get you for Christmas now.

[hankintexas]

Hey yall I just got my instructors certification a few weeks ago. We're working on developing our presentation right now. I was just wanting to see if anybody has any advice or tips. It's hard starting a 4-5 hour class from scratch! I've been a CHL holder since I turned 21 but teaching the class is a whole new ball game.


Any advice is greatly appreciated.



Thanks!



Ike Stephens

We may have been in the same class. I have been a trainer/teacher in my current position for a while. Believe it or not, four hours can fly by faster than you think.
Keep an eye on your students. When they are wiggling in their seats......you need to call a break. Don't let them sit there and ask for a break. By the time they do, they have been concentrating on the bathroom for 15 - 20 minutes and missed the information you were presenting. Make sure you give an exact time limit for the breaks also. That way you wont have to go searching for them.

I have taught 8 hour classes that seemed like 2 hours. And then, I have taught 2 hour classes that seemed like they were 2 days....

[longtooth]

The outline they gave us is pretty good I think.
I am so old school & tec-ignorant that "power point" is a word that I have heard. I use the outline & several "visual aids" & am pretty animated in my presentation.
Use some of both if you choose too.

It is OK to LT is so old I dont even have available a copy machine. All my retained copies are Carbon. Even the auditor said, "Where did you get this. I didnt think they made it any more.

Must be tough to use that carbon paper with quill pens…

I have got past that to a modern ball point.

[MasterOfNone]

The outline they gave us is pretty good I think.
I am so old school & tec-ignorant that "power point" is a word that I have heard. I use the outline & several "visual aids" & am pretty animated in my presentation.
Use some of both if you choose too.

It is OK to LT is so old I dont even have available a copy machine. All my retained copies are Carbon Dated. Even the auditor said, "Where did you get this. I didnt think they made it any more.

Fixed it for you.

[longtooth]

[kg5ie]

You can buy a complete Power Point class presentation. Lots of discussion threads on its quality and usefulness though. Some like it, some don't which is absolutely normal. Using it for a foundation might be better than starting from scratch.

Follow the outline and the presentation will be easy to prepare.

If you can, find a not-so-local fellow CHL instructor that will allow you to come assist in a class. Watch and learn. If they are too local they might see you as competition and not be interested in assisting.

Welcome and good luck.

[bigtex.308]

Thanks for all the replys! A few days ago I actually sat in a class and got to look at it as instructor rather than a student. I took a lot of notes on what I liked about it an didn't like. I think I may buy that pre made power point. Just to have something to build off of rather than starting from scratch.


I appreciate the help!




Ike

[switch]

Where are you located. Be glad for you to sit in on one of my classes.

[kg5ie]

Where are you located. Be glad for you to sit in on one of my classes.

You are welcome to sit through mine too........... but be ready to assist on the range!!

[WildBill]

Welcome to the forum! I am not an instructor.

As most people do now I use PowerPoint at work for many presentations.
Like longtooth, I think it has it's limitations and should be used in conjunction with other visual aids.
Don't get me wrong, I really am glad that we have computers and graphics software.
But I also think that people are becoming too dependent on it.
Most of the canned presentation formats that come with PowerPoint are horrible.
Many are too busy and others try to look too cute with the excess graphics and bad choice of fonts.

I have been to many classes so I think the CHL handbook would be a good place to start.
Highlight the sections that DPS requires you to cover and those on the exam.
The idea of using the timer is a good way to estimate the time you will need.
Many instructors get hung up on a particular topic and then have to rush at the end.

Good luck on your presentation and on your classes!