This article was posted 09/20/2012 and is most likely outdated.

Mike Holt - Becoming a Great Instructor - Part 1
header
Becoming a Great Instructor - Part 1

Becoming a Great Instructor - Part 1

Great instructors aren’t born — they’re made. Or (more precisely) they’re taught.

We will be sending out a 7 Part Series of newsletters on Becoming a Great Instructor. The purpose of this information is to teach you how to be a truly great instructor, a person who helps other people learn. Talented instructors have the power to capture an audience, sway opinions, and convert opponents to their cause. You will learn proven, time-tested ways to be the best, most prepared, and most professional instructor you can be.

*This information is designed for instructors but can be applied to anyone in a position of leadership*

We'd love get your feedback on these newsletters. If you have any suggestions or comments please
'Post a Comment'. We'd especially like to hear from instructors.

Image

The content of this newsletter series will be divided into seven parts. They are:

  • Part 1 – The Relationship
  • Part 2 – The Student
  • Part 3 – The Instructor
  • Part 4 – Your Presentation Skills
  • Part 5 – The Classroom Setting
  • Part 6 – The Presentation
  • Part 7 – PowerPoint

Image2 Part 1 - The Relationship

1.1 Introduction

In any presentation, two things are happening simultaneously: the instructor is making a commitment to help students learn, and the students are evaluating the instructor’s ability and commitment. Students need help, counsel, wisdom, inspiration, and something that can change their lives. The dynamic of teaching is a partnership rather than a performance, a linkage rather than a confrontation, coming closer rather than pulling apart.

Key Elements of a Great Instructor

Credibility. Acquiring expertise as well as building and cultivating positive, trusting relationships.
Common Ground. Frame goals on common ground, describing the benefits of the position they’re advocating in terms of what they value and what others value.
Supporting Information. Reinforce their positions with striking data mixed with compelling stories, examples, and images.
Deep Understanding of Emotion. Understand and connect with the feelings of their students.

Winning Others’ Trust

When people trust you and your ideas, they tend to see you as believable, well informed, and sincere. They know that you have their best interests at heart. They also view you as possessing a strong emotional character (steady temperament) and integrity (honesty and reliability).

Be Sincere. Demonstrate your conviction that your idea is worth others’ time and attention.
Build a Track Record of Trustworthiness. Follow through on the promises and commitments you’ve made. Share or give credit to those who contribute good ideas. Present consistent values.
Encourage the Exploration of Ideas. To demonstrate your openness to others’ perspectives, listen to their concerns. Establish an environment where all can share their ideas and know that their opinions are valued.
Put Others’ Best Interests First. When people believe that you have their interests in mind, they tend to trust you and your ideas.
Use Candor. When you own up to your flaws, people see you as a truthful person – on the assumption that most individuals try to conceal their faults. Thus, an honest acknowledgment of any weaknesses in your proposal can help build trust with your audience.

Even though you are the presenter, it should be all about the audience. Through slide design, content, nonverbal behavior, engaging questions, and appropriate silences, the presenter should send the message that "this presentation is not about me or my thoughts, it is all about you."

The relationship begins before the class begins. Meet and greet your participants before class. This helps to break the ice as well as providing you an opportunity to gauge the students’ prior exposure to your topic. From your opening sentence, talk about your students.

Let the students know what the goals are for the class. Your objective in setting goals is not “running the class” but aiding in student learning. If you are doing a class for another organization, be sure that you know what the objectives are and what they want you to cover. Try to find out as much as possible about the knowledge level of the students and their learning needs so you can provide the right level of instruction and the right focus for your audience.

1.2 Get the Student Involved

Get students involved by asking them questions. The more times you use the word “you” or “your” in your presentations, the better you’ll relate to the students. Use phrases such as:

  • “As you see on this table…”
  • You’ve probably installed this.”
  • “Now as you look at the photo…”

1.3 Relationships

Concentrate on building relationships. If you can communicate what the student feels is important, you can begin to develop a relationship. “Look, I understand how you’re feeling. I know what it’s like to feel the way you do right now. I’ve been there.” There has to be a willingness to help, and to extend yourself on the other person’s behalf.

Try to be sensitive to their feelings, let them know that you really want to help them, and expect to see them again. To spark a long-term relationship, the instructor must immerse himself or herself in the concerns of the students. When the instructor says, “I know how you feel,” the students must believe it!

  • If you’re bored, they will drift with you.
  • If you’re having a good time, they will smile and enjoy themselves with you.
  • If you like and respect them, they’ll like and respect you.

Use real-life examples when explaining concepts that your students can relate to. This not only drives home a point, but it makes students feel that you are speaking to them, because they are hearing a story or a situation that they may have faced in their own lives. If you expose your own weaknesses and vulnerability, the students will identify with you.

Image2 Stay tuned for Part 2 - The Student.

Coming In January:

Mike will be presenting a 3-Part Live Webinar on
'Becoming a Great Instructor' utilizing this material and incorporating your feedback to these newsletters.
So please 'Post a Comment' and let us know what you think.

 

 

footer
This newsletter was sent to 24140 Subscribers
Comments
  • I guess you can say I am kinda late to the party but I have retired to the Philippines. After viewing the economic/job situation here it appears that they are in great need of technical training in electrical. There are many students but no money to finance courses. So I have brought an electrical training curriculum from the USA and in the process of setting up an electrical technology school in hopes of teaching the Filipinos how to be electricians. And the instructors guides will be great.

    Philippe LaBorde  July 2 2013, 6:32 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • This is a great added extra that I didn't expect when I signed up for your tests. It is a Godsend, since I will be a part of training team, working on building skilled tradespeople in the Wisconsin area!

    Jim Gaillard  February 21 2013, 1:51 am EST
    Reply to this comment

  • Great stuff!!

    David Johnson   January 8 2013, 6:44 am EST
    Reply to this comment

  • Its a great tool for teachers and leaders,but also for parents who are teaching their children the trade, by working alongside them.The toughest critic has always been my son,GOD bless him for teaching me,greenhorns see things from a different perspective.Thank You Mike, and all of your support staff.

    Rey Rivera  October 11 2012, 1:12 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Great stuff, I was an elementary teacher before become electrician, and all of this information was taught to me long time ago;however, is a refresher for me as a Sunday school teacher in my church. Thanks Mike for your excellent job. God Bless you always!

    Misael Lopez  October 8 2012, 1:18 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Looking forward to another learning experience. Although, not yet an expert on code issues, but still looking forward to the valuable lessons you teach. I am looking forward to what you bring to the table to help me develop my skills to become an instructor in the future.

    Billy Fedler  September 23 2012, 11:14 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Thanks for sharing your techniques on becoming a instructor. As a new instructor I find myself always looking for the little things that make a big difference in students attitude and progress. With so much to remember to do while teaching theory lessons, doing lab work and demonstrations all while working to get my official teaching certificate it is easy to forget things from time to time. I like the easy to use and remember techniques best. My only critic on the first newsletter would be to make it real world. Share examples along with illustrations to accompany your methods in the classroom. I find it clears up any confusion or uncertanity about the topic.

    Artrzy607  September 23 2012, 10:23 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Greeting the students helps you bond with them before you even start class. Giving real life stories that relate to the content of the class material has always been a great tool of teaching. I always explain that the math we use is simple, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing it keeps them interested knowing that the math is simple not complicated. I've always explained that when I was in their shoes way back in the 70's in Mike class that I was scared of failure and that Mike made me realize I did not have to be scared as long as I did the work. Thanks for all your help all these years. It was people like Mike who inspired me to get to where I am today.

    Former Chief Electrical Inspector West Palm Beach Jake Leahy

    Jake Leahy  September 23 2012, 6:16 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Hi Mike; I wish there were teachers like this when I was in school. Your doing a great service to all tradesmen and the industry in general. Thanks for the great work.

    Brian Mc Dermott  September 22 2012, 1:19 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • So excited about this work shop. I taught electrical as a sub for one year and now am teaching carpentry and building trades at a tech. center. While I have 35 years experience in the field I can use all the teaching techniques and knowledge you can spare, sounds exciting.

    Timothy Bash  September 21 2012, 3:49 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Wow, Mike you have hit the nail on the head again. Yes, instructors are not born. I have been with you since 1994 and have loved every minute of it. Keep the knowledge coming A special thanks for your past generosity with books and DVDs to me and my students. Our JATC here in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties are now using your books in all the apprenticeship levels and journeyman classes. yours Laura Vergeront IBEW/JATC Inland Empire San Bernardino CA

    Laura  September 21 2012, 2:30 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • I had the good fortune to attend one of Mike's training seminars some years ago and he is truly an upper echelon instructor. I don't do the classroom instructor role very often but am looking foreword to tips that will improve my one on one training. God Bless

    Dennis Parrott  September 21 2012, 1:22 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • As I was reading through this I realized how parrallel these things run to being a good service technician.

    Where it's the technicians job to have the customers best interest at heart and to help instruct the customer and let them become more aware of the equipment and become part of the solution. As we earn the customers trust and put their interests ahead of ours they then can offer input, and the solutions to the issues at hand become a collaborative effort where everyone wins. We don't just work for them, but we get to work with them. This is a realtionship between company and customer that will be long lasting and beneficial for all.

    I think I would like all my staff to follow this with the understanding that they too can be instructors in their jobs...

    Dan Maas  September 21 2012, 12:10 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Great stuff, as usual. Looking forward to the entire series. I'm working in Guinea, West Africa, with local work force. This series sounds like a valuable tool for my teaching repertoire (they speak French, here). Keep it coming.

    Randall Smith  September 21 2012, 11:41 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • I got an Associate Degree from the local city college, a Bachelors Degree from Pepperdine University (top 5% school in the US) and am currently working on a Masters Degree at Purdue University (one of the nation's premier construction programs)...but the best education I ever recieved was from the National Joint Apprentice Training Committee (NJATC) with the I.B.E.W. Local 441. There is nothing like working in the field all day then attendig class at night to discuss what you're working on. Classes were taught by inspectors, general foremen and other seasoned electrical professionals.

    I will always hold the 5-years I spent as an apprentice in the NJATC program in the highest regard!

    Ty Ketih  September 21 2012, 11:12 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Many moons ago I taught 2nd year ABC apprenticeship. Now that I'm approaching retirement, I'm looking for part time activity "in the field". So far what I see is a positive approach to a difficult subject.

    Mike Walker  September 21 2012, 10:14 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Great initiative! Thank you Mike. Please make each part available post issue. I'd like to capture all 7 and would also like to attend/capture the 3-Part Live Webinar(s).

    Ty Keith  September 21 2012, 9:42 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • This looks exciting - I am an Instructor of Continuing Educational Requirements for the State of Washington.

    I use Mike's materials and overheads to teach my classes.

    I will be following the materials with great interest.

    I have been teaching for 6 years - I continue to evolve with course outline and materials covered - I have been using Mike's Exam Prep Book as my course materials - since in the state of Washington as of 2013 Trainees to renew their Trainee Card must complete 48hr over a two year renewal period. Doesn't it make sense to help them get ready to take their Journeyman's test - that is my goal.

    John Gary  September 21 2012, 9:23 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • A great start to a series. I have always looked forward to and enjoyed your presentations and this series is no different. This is my forty second year in the trade and thirteenth year in the classroom and I'm still learning! Thanks, Ed

    Ed Holt  September 21 2012, 9:01 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Keep it interesting watch you class tailor the subject to the students involvement is essential

    Ray Juhnke  September 21 2012, 8:59 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • As an Instructor for IEC of Arizona, I for one , am looking forward to what Mike can bring to the table to help me hone in my skills as a great instructor. This is my third year teaching and I still learn something about myself and the craft each year.

    Mark Cook  September 21 2012, 8:47 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • Mike -

    Thanks for what you do and for your son's military service.

    Semper Fi.

    Bill Bradley  September 21 2012, 3:43 am EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • We all know that in all things there are protocols, steps, directives, or whatever we might call them that give us a pretty general approach to subjects. I think one of the most important things for instructors to all ways keep in the forefront of their mind is that we have all been created differently. And how people seek to be related to and how they relate to others is different. We see it in every aspect of life. Some are emotional; some would rather not be in an emotional environment. Some are more technical; some are more practical. It is when we stay focused on the individual and not 'just' a process that we truly begin to reach into the lives of others and make life changing impacts.

    Adam Landry  September 20 2012, 11:05 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment


Get notified when new comments are posted here
* Your Email:
 
        
 
Add Your Comments to this Newsletter
* Your Name:
   Your name will appear under your comments.

* Your Email:
   Your email address is not displayed.
* Comments:

Email Notification Options:
Notify me when a reply is posted to this comment
Notify me whenever a comment is posted to this newsletter