[Colin_Partridge]

Hi gang,
When Rick started that thread on instruction it prompted me to ask this question. You see I am asked all of the time if I teach? I always decline because mostly I dont have the time or because I dont feel I am qualified to be an instructor. All of my carving friends inform me that the way to make money at wood carving is to instruct. Now dont get me wrong I am like everyone else I like money but it isnt the be all end all. I am scared that if I do instruct I will lose my passion for carving. So I thought I would ask you your opinion on becoming an instuctor and also what makes a good instructor. I know that a lot of you teach so it is a great place to get advice. I have instucted all my life so I know the methods of instruction its just that I have never instructed wood carving.
The majority of the people that ask me to run a course are people that dont carve. So do I supply all the tools etc for the course or do I ask them to bring their own? Seems that that could be expensive for them. I would really like your advice before I set up a course.
Colin

[Callynne]

Sorry Colin, no advice, just encouragement. I think you'd make a great instructor! Callynne

[Kenny_S]

A good instructor is one you can learn from. You have the gift and the passion and I believe if you look at it this way, you have instructed already. We here ,have learned from you.
Just my 2 Abe Lincolns worth.
My best to you Colin in this New Year. Now to remember to write 04 on the checks instead of 03.

[jamesfa]

a good instructor is someone you can learn from and someone who can teach to the level of his students.that is if there beginers keep it simple,the more advanced the student the more advanced the intruction.i can remember some time back taking a computer course the teacher taught way above my level neither of us got anything out of it.we both got frustrated and cancelled the lessons.
colin as for giving lessons it would be a great idea if you do,let me know when and if i'm not travelling ,i'll sign up and bring my own tools.

[Donna_T]

Colin,
I agree...you'd be a great instructor. My experience with really good instructors is that they love what they are doing and will share EVERYTHING they've ever learned about the subject, if you will ask and want to know.

I have done some mini classes (one small project done by several people) and the old addage of 'you never know your subject until you have to teach it' holds true. It makes you rethink everything you do and know--put it in learnable terms.

The good instructors neither talk down to or above their students...they are attuned to their ability and help them move to the next level.

I think you ought to try it if you get a chance. Sure would be a benefit to a lot of wannabe carvers--or those who wannabe better carvers. 2004 would be a great time to start this new experience. And you'll never know unless you try it.

Good Luck.
Donna T

My two cents worth; I teach knife carved caricatures and have a limit of eight to 10 students depending on the subject.I supply the blank, written instructions for the course and copies of a four view photograph of the finished subject. I do not promise that the student will finish the project during the class since everyone has different abilities. I try to teach the basics. Example; In order to carve a hand you should know how many planes a hand has and then go on from there to shoes, pockets, belts, folds, etc. I ask them how they do a certain area and then I show them how I do it, then they can choose which way is best for them. I feel that trying to do a complete piece in a certain time only causes problems, cuts, etc. I also like to have an open discussion whenever a student asks a specific question. I find that with the instructions and photos the student can work on the carving at home. It is amazing how much I learn when I teach! Hope this helps you. Big Al

I think what everyone has said here makes perfect sense. The only thought I would add is that a good instructor teaches me how to do something and does not just do it themselves. It takes a talent to show and then help another person work through a process of steps to carve something. Too many instructors carve the piece themselves and then the student has no clue how to do it again. I have only taught one class of beginners and it is not as easy as it appears to really 'teach' someone else. It is really easy to demonstrate your skills, but the step over to being a good instructor requires that the student learn. Start with small groups and take it slow. Out of my maiden voyage of 6 students only one stuck with carving - but that's one more carver than there was before!
Good Luck-
Barry

[woodenleg]

When I first read your post, Colin, I thought back through the courses I have taken. During the course, it seemed to me that some of the teachers could only demonstrate what they were doing and others could EXPLAIN IT WHILE THEY WERE DOING IT. To me that is the big difference. I don't know how some of them do it, but they have an unbelievable ability to explain that not everyone has.

I've tried to watch my grandduaghter use her controller during a video game, but that is a far cry from learning anything. She will say, 'just do this' and I won't have a clue what her hands are going.

I vote for you to give it a try on a small scale and, if it works, continue with it. I am a mathematician, but all of my kids (all 'A' students) had to get an outside tutor to survive. Some of the things that just seemed so intuitive to me..... :-/ Gosh! (And I gladly paid for the tutor.)

[Colin_Partridge]

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence I took everything you said to heart and I have again learned a whole lot. I like the thought that a lot of instuctors end up carving the piece for the student I have witnessed this and you are right. What does a student learn if the instructor carves the piece. I agree if the instuctor cant instruct the student to carve it then they are not much of an instructor. As for the controls on the video games I agree my grandson does the same thing to me 'grandpa just do this' I also have no idea what those little fingers are doing. I will instuct in the spring using all the information you have given me and I will let you know how it goes.
Colin

[woodenleg]

By the way, Colin, I found the secret to those video games: 1) since they can't read (the little dummies :-[) I read the book and don't tell them all the moves I have learned, and 2) I stay up at night playing by myself to learn how to use the controller.

Of course, that dug into my carving time and I finally had to give up. (They thought I was a genius when I taught them the new moves.... )

It's going to be horrible when they learn to read....

Good luck on your new venture!