Gordy & Group,
This one is just too good to pass up!
Having spent the last 2 ½ days doing continuous demos and lessons.
Saw everything below in one weekend.
My thoughts imbedded in blue.
Jim
From: Gordon Hill [mailto:masterstudy@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 1:00 PM
To: Jim Valle
Subject: Classes/MCI exam questions
Jim & Group....
Some other questions on teaching classes which just might come up on the MCI exam:-
1.) What is an, "ideal" instructor/student ratio ?
1::1 is fun, but you had better be prepared to provide all the comedy or it?s going to be a long hour!
6::1 is about max to be effective.
2.) How do you handle husband and wife teams in your casting classes ?
First I let them pick their own casting location, normally near each other. Sometimes it works fine and they have a good time.
If one starts correcting the other, then It is time to do an odd vs even rotation of some kind for the whole class. (masking the problem as a class reorganization)
This can also happen with father son etc.
3.) Can you make out a brief lesson plan for teaching fly casting to _______ students over a __________time span ? (The examiner will often choose one you didn't bring, to see how you would organize it.)
A one hour lesson, one instructor and 6 students
Intro, Safety & gear set up (10min)
Stated Goal & Why (5 min)
Explain and Demo (5 min) (Keep this simple, digestible chunks!)
Performance (Mandatory: STUDENT Discovery Time) (10 min) The real learning Takes place Here!!!!!
One on One Instruction / Correction AND Praise (Individual) (30min = @ 5 min/student)
Bonus ? something new to look forward to in the next lesson ?
4.) Two good buddies have come from out of town to join your class. How (if at all) would you handle that circumstance ?
Same as couple
5.) You have a class of early casters. One, "wise guy" is casting and double hauling every chance he gets while you are trying to cover basics. How do you handle that situation ?
1) ?Johnny you seem to have a good handle on this. Would you mind helping me out and demonstrating a few basic casts for me?, or, Separate him with other tasks or just separate him!
6.) Despite your admonition to have students bring protective eyewear, two of them forgot to bring same. What do you do?
Signed Liability Waiver first !
1. Carry some inexpensive loaner sun glasses, 2. Spread students out beyond the reach of any other rod tip or line/leader, 3. Depending on Wind and other circumstances Deny the students access to class.
Professional guides carry extra rods, fly?s etc. A Professional instructor should carry whatever is necessary to cover reasonable possibilities, sun screen, bug repellent, sun glasses and a couple hats. At least one spare rod/reel/line (could be the instructors). Nippers, tippet and yarn.
7.) You are asked to give a class or workshop on casting attended by 12 students. Some are rank beginners, some intemediates, and a couple of them advanced. One of them is an MCI. How do you handle that situation ?
Give the class as it was advertised Intro, beginner, general, demo etc. State at the beginning of the class what type and level or class you are about to give.
(This is like the airlines do, You are on flight #... non-stop to Bozeman, MT, if you don?t want to go to Bozeman and are going to miss a great Conclave!? get off now!)
For example??This is an introductory workshop on fly casting we are going to start at the very basics and continue on through? Although some of you may have more experience we will start with a good foundation?and work our way up?
8.) You are guiding an angler on the stream. He hired you because he'd been told you were a Master Instructor. He brought his fly rod, reel and says it is brand new and he's never made a fly cast in his life. You have 10 minutes to get him to the point where he can at least fish with some opportunity for success. What is your plan for that 10 minute instruction ?
Been there? Roll Cast L & R + simple mends. (wrong place to learn to backcast, especially if fish are rising)
9.) Your class on the casting pond is going very well. You have 15 minutes to bring it to a planned conclusion. A thunderstorm is approaching. What do you do ?
If the difference between lightning and thunder is 6 seconds or less Take cover in a structure or vehicle. Give the conclusion/review after the storm passes or while in the building.
10.) You and your assistant instructor have planned a fly casting class for 10 students. It has been raining, but is now clear. Only 2 students show up. How do you handle that situation ?
Paying Customers get the class they paid for and showed up for. Reschedule the 8, remember your reputation and possibly the Federation?s are at stake.
You might try to answer all of these questions (except for # 3 for which the specifics have been omitted) and we'll see how you do ! Make your answers BRIEF AND TO THE POINT.
Gordy