As I finish preparing for four
CREATE workshops, I'm wondering what your learning experiences are. What things did teachers do that really worked for you, and, conversely, what didn't work? What can I do to make sure everyone leaves feeling inspired to CREATE?
No 1: A Teacher who shows me how to use a Bedazzler :)
ReplyDeleteNo 2: A Teacher who shows me all her secrets....her secret techniques, her secret supplies....
What if she pulls back the curtain and there's just a man speaking into a microphone? The great and might Oz HAS SPOKEN.
ReplyDeleteencourage all speeds of creativeness, allow some to go ahead at a quicker pace, foster those moving slower,
ReplyDeleteMy favourite tutor, and now my friend, taught me to 'try it and see' and that has always stood me in good stead. She didn't have all the answers and encouraged our curiosity and playfulness and I admired her honesty and down to earth nature :)
ReplyDeleteFor me the most important thing is not to feel judged or that I've done it wrong. Also I like a teacher who tells me at the beginning what we are going to cover and by the end we have covered just that. But then, I'm a librarian like you so I bet you're that organised anyway.
ReplyDeleteI want the teacher to bring examples of her work and allow me to touch them and discuss her techniques. I like her to walk around the room and answer questions and most of all it should be fun and encourging.
ReplyDeletePermissiveness, allow all paces, playfulness, honesty, non-judgment, organization, samples and encouragement. Got it!
ReplyDeleteBe Glenda the Good Witch! The teachers I loved were open, generous with information, and pushed me to do more than I thought possible. The teachers from Hell spent a third of the class trying to convince us how wonderful, talented, and artistic they are and how their techniques are so complicated and difficult we mere mortals could never aspire to learn them. If you teach like your book reads, you will have no problem - be yourself!
ReplyDeleteGood: tell me what you're going to teach, explain it carefully, then tell them what you taught them and what is coming up next. the speed demons will have just enough that they can go on while you help everyone else along. Make sure to compliment every student at some point.
ReplyDeleteBe very generous with your information.
Don't tell me what to do - ask me questions that help me figure it out. Gotta love that "lightbulb" feeling.
Bad: Saying "that's my secret." Going on and on with depressing personal stories. I had one teacher work on her own piece the entire class - never went around to help students, didn't really teach much at all.
You, my dear - are an EXCELLENT teacher. To be even asking and thinking about it.
I love teachers who ask the students at the end of class what their favorite part was, and ask for suggestions for improvement.