Curriculum for the 30-Hour Instructor Course

Instructor Course Categories

This is to be used as the subject matter curriculum for the 30-hour instructor course. The course you develop must fulfill all of the stated categories and principles below.

Instructor Course Category: Knowledge

• Provide current information
• Present alternative viewpoints on material when there is not a single position that is accepted industry-wide
• Clearly identify opinions as the instructor's opinion
• Build a proper foundation for each major element of a subject
• Deal with all key elements of a subject
• Cover the material adequately in the allotted time by refraining from attempting to cover too broad an area in the allotted time
• Answer all questions logically and concisely
• Be informed enough to handle a variety of questions on the subject being taught
• Admit when he/she does not know the answer to a question and volunteer to obtain that information
• Focus on students gaining knowledge, not on impressing the students with the instructor's knowledge

Instructor Course Category: Andragogy

• Present new ideas by relating them to pre-existing knowledge held by the learners
• Teach at the learners' level not over their heads
• Show in a specific way how new material will benefit learners
• Encourage appropriate questions and motivate involvement
• Show tolerance - both to ignorance and disagreement thus avoiding arguments and confrontation
• Build learners' self esteem
• Call the learners by name
• Involve learners in the learning process through planned activities
• Use a variety of teaching methods
• Teach to all participants, not just to those who show interest
• Present key points by using examples as illustrations

Instructor Course Category: Speech

• Use concise speech patterns (no unnecessary clutter)
• Use simple speech patterns
• Use simple terminology
• Use normal speech patterns
• Do not read to the classroom (except in rare occasions when quoting others)
• Keep the presentation on a regular pace thus finishing the material in the allotted time
• Keep the topic flowing
• Speak loudly enough to be heard by all
• Enunciate clearly without being over done
• Restate an individual learner's question to the group as a whole prior to attempting to answer the question
• Use humor when appropriate to make a point

Instructor Course Category: Learning Environment

• Be positive toward the subject matter
• Refrain from ridiculing either the learners or others
• Wear professional attire
• Refrain from wearing attire which would detract from the learning environment
• Maintain hair well
• Set up the room to accommodate the approximate number of learners expected to attend
• Make sure empty seats are kept to a minimum
• Make sure that a lectern or table is at the front of the room (if used at all)
• Provide writing surfaces for learners
• Make sure that the learners have room to move
• Do not stand behind physical objects for more than a short period of time
• Use gestures during the presentation
• Use physical movement during the presentation to minimize the physical distance between the instructor and learners and try to involve all learners equally