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Gordy,
Been away to LA. Fly casting for Reds using a new Shooting Head Line "Ballistic Express" line. Good line that worked well with 5 wt shooting head line on single hand 8 wt rod for salt. Great fun.
Mr. Valle has my full attention with his take on teaching. I identify with his approach to this great subject.
I like to think about what we are teaching. The essence of a sport. I have not viewed this subject in any other way than as a joy to participate in, and as a wonderful medium to be able to teach and learn from. So my view point is to make it as enjoyable to me as it can be for my students.
Jim catches the essence of this passion in his e-mails. This type of spark by an instructor creates a fire in the student to learn. I feel a student who enjoys the learning experience will retain the information, plus have the desire to learn more, due to the subject and the way it is being presented.
Like in the video you provided Gordy, do you remember your most enjoyable learning experience and the events behind it that made that event so enjoyable for you?
For me it is:
1.) Being able to understand the task.
2.) Being able to execute the task with proficiency.
3.) Experiencing the feeling of extreme accomplishment and satisfaction by executing the task.
4.) Plus understand the importance of the task in real life that I just learned.
5.) Plus Sharing and helping other with the task I have learned.
As Jim stated as we gain experience as teachers we gain the ability to automatically adjust our approach to the needs of our students based on their feed back. I strive to be that kind of instructor that has this sensitivity to my students needs.
I highlighted below in red what jumps out for me in Jim's statements. Also below are some word pictures provided to us by Wikipedia on "Basic Human Needs", I thought this was interesting. Simplicity could be the short answer when it comes to teaching the most complex creature on the plant.
This below was pulled from Jim's e-mail on the subject of teaching.
"Best advice I can give, other than teach more is to relax, a good lesson plan is an essential however a rigid plan can be devastating to the student. I keep my goals in the background (essentials etc) what I want to cover, but more and more I teach by Feeling, I let the student take the lesson where he wants to go with his questions…
(they may not come in my preferred order, that’s ok, go with the students flow that’s where their learning is currently focused…
Bottom line keep your plan in mind, don't be afraid to let the student lead the way a bit, you can guide them back to the mainstream if you step back, watch and listen.
If I can cover my goals while letting my student navigate the lesson I consider that the art form of teaching
My student has learned and I sense accomplishment"
The last statement is a win win.
That is what we all should strive for when teaching! After all who are we trying to reach, and what are we trying to accomplish!
Basis human needs come into play, below has been copied from Wikipedia Defining "Fundamental Human Needs".
How many of the basic needs shown below are we touching with our sport of fly casting? I like to think the majority listed, but it all depends on the person's desire and love of the sport of fly casting and fishing.
The wonderful thing about all of this, is that it may take more of one, then the other listed below to satisfy a certain individual. That's what makes this such an interesting world we live in. Style comes to mind with regards to unique characteristics of each and every individual that is wanting to learn fly casting.
As a Teacher and Instructor we need to be able to adapt to the learning needs of our fly fishing community! This road to teaching also brings with it an essential that is require, and this is the task of continuous learning.
Max-Neef classifies the fundamental human needs as:
- Subsistence,
- Protection,
- Affection,
- Understanding,
- Participation,
- Leisure,
- Creation,
- Identity and
- Freedom.
Needs are also defined according to the existential categories of being, having, doing and interacting, and from these dimensions, a 36 cell matrix is developed [4]
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Need
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Being (qualities)
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Having (things)
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Doing (actions)
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Interacting (settings)
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Subsistence
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physical and mental health
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food, shelter, work
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feed, clothe, rest, work
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living environment, social setting
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Protection
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care, adaptability, autonomy
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social security, health systems, work
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co-operate, plan, take care of, help
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social environment, dwelling
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Affection
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respect, sense of humour, generosity, sensuality
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friendships, family, relationships with nature
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share, take care of, make love, express emotions
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privacy, intimate spaces of togetherness
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Understanding
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critical capacity, curiosity, intuition
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literature, teachers, policies, educational
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analyze, study, meditate, investigate,
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schools, families, universities, communities,
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Participation
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receptiveness, dedication, sense of humor
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responsibilities, duties, work, rights
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cooperate, dissent, express opinions
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associations, parties, churches, neighbourhoods
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Leisure
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imagination, tranquillity, spontaneity
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games, parties, peace of mind
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day-dream, remember, relax, have fun
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landscapes, intimate spaces, places to be alone
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Creation
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imagination, boldness, inventiveness, curiosity
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abilities, skills, work, techniques
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invent, build, design, work, compose, interpret
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spaces for _expression_, workshops, audiences
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Identity
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sense of belonging, self-esteem, consistency
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language, religions, work, customs, values, norms
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get to know oneself, grow, commit oneself
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places one belongs to, everyday settings
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Freedom
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autonomy, passion, self-esteem, open-mindedness
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equal rights
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dissent, choose, run risks, develop awareness
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anywhere
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Thanks Gordy
All the best
Gary Davison
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