Class size ?

[wsswesty]

I will be taking NRA's Instructor pistol course next month and plan on offering classes in my community late spring or early summer. I'm not sure where I will be teaching yet.. I've contacted several agencies about meeting rooms.

I would like to hear from others about their average class size. How many students can one instructor comfortably teach in a classroom? At the range?

Thanks much! BTW, I'm new to this forum. I live in WV and just recently retired from a local university with 33 yrs of teaching experience. I also have my CCP..

 

[brcombs]

As a former educator ask yourself: did my students get more out of the subject in a small class or large one. I prefer 6-10 so that I can engage all of them easier than trying to get 15 or more to actively participate. Also, range safety is VERY important. Are you an NRA certified Range Safety Officer? You shouldn't have more than about 3 or 4 on the line at one time. So, a smaller class means less waiting at the range. Also, welcome to the forum!

 

[Bozz]

It's not really hard to teach several in a classroom, but when you get to the range it is important that you have no more than a few on the line at any time. I prefer 1 on 1 actually, but that takes time when you have several students. My preference is to have another instructor help me when we get to the range.

Coincidentally, our local ranges don't give us more than 2 lanes at a time to work with students.

 

[John Theriot]

I have helped only since I took my NRA Instructor Class, We had about 8 to 10 students. 3 teaching Instructors and 3 more to help Asst. This gave most all one to one help, And @ range everone had NRA Instructor behind them while shooting. This was in Texas and Welcome new NRA Pistol Instructor.

NRA pistol and rifle instructor
NRA RSO

 

[grizzerr]

For classroom up to 20 students. On the range for beginner classes no more than 2 students with 5 on the line at a time, advanced classes up to 20 (10 on the line) and utilizing an assistant instructor.

 

[wsswesty]

Thanks everyone for answering my question. Great group here!

 

[_Anthony_]

I ran a class of 24 a few weeks ago (with help...) and it was great in the classroom. You need a lot of help on the range. Seating plays a big part in it you need to setup tables so that no one feels they're in the "back of the class" usually a U shaped layout will help with that. Classroom style seating (like in school) people in the back are difficult to engage if you don't setup seating corectly.

 

[protectnsurvive]

First Post so I'll add my take.

I limit my class to 10 students. I've done classes before of nearly 20. I've found 6-10 the best. I also have 2 instructors for each class.

The main reason is I've attended a University where I've experienced large classes and small classes. I did much better in smaller classes as a student.