[Klem]

One question on the THCI could involve an instructor being faced with the challenge of: Large class of say 20 students and 4 instructors but 3 instructors don't show. You have to conduct the class by yourself. What do YOU do?
My basic teaching philosophy, regarding class size, is to move from individual/small group "hands-on" approach to more demonstration and pantomining with large group approach. I have geared my teaching to "hands-on" with individual and small groups(3-5). Larger groups I have successfully used demonstration and have participents do alot of pantomining without a rod in hand then move to a dry rod and finally, at the end, string-up and spend a moment with each individual.
Flexibiliy is most critical when teaching in unpected circumstances. To be more flexiable: The more solutions an instructor has, the better prepared he is. My question is how do you go from expecting 3 or 5 students to 10 or 20 students?

On the path to the THCI, Klem

 

[speybum]

This is not a new situation.

I always have a game plan for the unexpected.
Effective teaching methodologies are the staples of an effective instructor. At the core of effective instruction is the lesson plan.
Keeping to a predetermined lesson plan for large groups of students is essential.

Running my Day on the River Program and offering free Speycasting lessons you do not know how many students will show up.

Many of the people of are first timers and will need personal contact.
Keeping with my game plan of Individual contact with each and every person attending the class is paramount.

Individual mentorship is essential in the learning process and makes the student feel successful and part of the group.

I work with the team concept only with group approval.
Team concept will allow for a much better success ratio only when the group agrees to it.

 

[andre]

Klem, sent you a pm

 

[Klem]

Thanks Speybum

Speybum, I agree with you that lesson plans are the heart of an effective instructor. Spending 30 years in public school as a music teacher drove home the fact that 1. Unexpected circumstance, 2. Student’s moods, 3. Teacher’s mood, 4. Physical surrounding and 5. The day’s goal all played a part in being effective.

My preparation for the THCI includes lesson plans for many situations encompassing student numbers and physical setting. Your input is what I’m looking for - individual contact in a large setting. My question is: how do you give each student contact so as not to ignore the others? How do you make each individual feel successful?

My philosophy is to get everyone involved immediately but not through individual contact but rather group participation. That is why I like the pantomiming and dry rod work as a group. Everyone is doing something and then approach individuals for personal contact after the group has tasks to work on. The reason for the original post was to see how other instructor approached large groups.

Thank you for your response. This path to the THCI is enjoyable and I’m learning every day more tool the my Teachin’ Tool Box plus becoming a more effective and efficient caster.
Klem p.s. other can chime in on this

 

[Dana]

I always get the folks out on the water casting early in the day and then I stand back and "have a coffee" and watch what's happening. I can begin to identify who has done this before, and these folks can become your helpers if you have a big group. Teach a new skill with a demo, and then group a few newer casters with a person who has some experience and you'll find that they often will help each other along. Also, give your class lots of time to chat and socialize throughout the day as this will create new friendships among casters and usually it ends up being that the new casters will seek out folks who know a thing or two and they'll often find a way to work with them when you aren't there.

 

[Speytarded]

Teaching

Dana,
I think I understand where you're coming from. Although I'm new to Spey Casting I've been teaching the "single hand" fly casting for since 93. Many times I've found myself with a larger number of students than expected. It can be a tough spot, especially when you have all beginners and no one with any casting skills. When I've been alone with a group such as this I've resorted to demonstrations illustrating the proper fundamentals of the cast and then thrown in some casting faults. I let the student know what I'm going to do and then ask them if they are able to notice the change. I'm always amazed how many are observent and notice something wrong. I've found that when a student gets involved in the process they learn at a faster rate.
The beginner that's able to watch and copy what they see are the ones that I don't need immediate attention. There are those, that with additional explanation, are able to grasp what's going on. I put these in the second group and deal with them down the line. With any luck I've pared the group down to a managable number. These are the ones that get immediate attention. I focus my attention on them and put the others on either side.
In the time I've been Spey casting I've found that ther'es much more that can go wrong, the lift, the sweep back, the circle up to the key position and so on. I'm not so sure the approach I use with the "single hand" will work with the Spey Cast.
I'd appreciate your comments,
Stan Steele

 

[Dana]

Hi Stan!

Yes, I think that would work. I've taught hundreds of people to speycast since '98 and in all the classes I've taught there are always a few people who have cast before. However, if ever I ran into a situation like you descibe where no one has cast, I think your appraoch would be a sound one. Remember that casting is casting. The speycast has a few more moves involved with it but if you can get a student to load and unload the rod properly by starting with overhead or roll casting, then slowly add the change of direction moves, you'll be fine.