Topics Discussed in Seminar During the 2010 Intermediate Course
General Comments
- Go step-by-step. Teach the basic way first, then shortcuts
- Assess or evaluate the ability and level of each participant
- Do research before the training starts. Change the teaching plan if necessary
- Group or pair participants depending on their level
- Be sure that all participants have an equal chance to speak and get instruction
- Change the seating arrangement if necessary. (So they can help each other, to stop talkative students from chatting in class, etc.)
- Pair concepts with examples. When you introduce a topic, illustrate it with examples
- Use general concepts rather than specific product names. For example, say “spreadsheet” rather than “Excel”
- Don’t panic or let the students panic. Be calm and reassuring when you interact with students
- Be friendly, approachable, patient and kind
- Listen carefully for students who may be having a problem but are too shy to tell you
- Build a good foundation. Don’t teach a new concept until the previous ones are mastered
- At the end of the training and even after that, get feedback from the participants and from yourself
- Keep in touch with participants when the training is over, or at least give them your contact information so they can communicate with you
- Provide a follow-up summary or handbook containing everything you taught (so that students can study it again after they go back home.)
What Should You Prepare and Think About Before the Training Begins?
- A teaching plan
- A timing plan (how much can you actually teach in each session or on each day)
- If you are repeating the seminar, re-think what you taught before and make changes if necessary
Assessment Methods
- Quizzes and tests
- Performance tasks, projects or presentations
- Daily reports
- On-the-spot assessment (from your own personal observations)
