Classes/Workshops

So much information on traditional classes, not short workshops. Finkel mentions that out of class groups can be beneficial. Giving a class project to help increase learning is difficult for me. Often times there is no chance for follow up. I will see students once per year and perhaps never again so this is difficult. Not necessarily impossible but difficult. The group can also complicate things. Those with a lower education level don't really want extra work to do. Even with a decent incentive, this may fail.

Although out of class groups may be very challenging for me, hopefully, as the book says, "informal out of class talking continues". If I were a fly on the wall, I would love to hear a student who had taken my workshop say, "that's to heavy and the posture is awkward. We need to get a cart or dolly to move this". I won't get to many opportunities to see this take place, but that is most ideal. The students recalls the information and applies this to the job. To get them to this point however, I have to present the information in the right way. Doing so over a short time period has been very challenging however. Discussions, demonstrations, videos, games, etc have all been used and just when I think the method may have worked, another group comes along and it is less effective. Now I know that no matter which method I use, I will never please everyone. I think that knowing this has made me a better teacher.