What instructional methods do you use?

[wsswesty]

Hello all,

I will be taking my NRA Pistol Instructors course next week and I'm begining to think about my future classes and what I'm gonna need and do. I'm a retired university professor and have used all of the different types of classroom technology. I would like to hear from the instructors in the group as to what instructional methods you use i.e., powerpoint, straight lecture, group discussion, etc. I talked with one instructor the other day who said he started out using a projector and computer for PowerPoint to teach the NRA Basic Pistol course. He found that students were very bored, falling asleep and staring off in space. He then decided to use no PP and just follow the NRA curriculum with as much student interaction as possible. This seems to be working best for him.

Before I invest in a computer projector for PP presentations, I would like to get your feedback as to what works best in your classroom. Any other tips and hints for teaching the classes will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million!

Scott

 

[John Theriot]

We have seen that all of this powerpoint, straight lecture, group discussion works, but we have the students take turn reading from their lesson plan. We have other instructors show how to hold etc firearm, and last have the NRA pistol safety rules and other NRA lesson poster up around room. The more they do the more they remember.
NRA pistol and rifle instructor
NRA RSO
Beaumont Tx

 

[Glock27060]

I have found that interactive instruction works best for me. I have adopted the use of a booklet and discussion. It seems to help drawing the students into asking questions which helps many of them relax.

 

[Are You Prepared]

For newbies I use AirSoft weapons for demonstration and the purpose of letting them (the students) get used to handling a gun before handling a live firearm. I also use Simunitions® and the Blue Guns®. I keep as much of the training "hands on" as possible, with minimal classroom time.

If I'm teaching a SRC (combatives course), I use the Blue Guns® for all demonstration purposes and AirSoft for actual training. I believe, and it has proven true, that students do not want to get shot, so the AirSoft gives the reality of being shot during a disarm or firearm control technique, thus ensuring that the student give it their all during training and a more real sense of being under the stress/duress of being shot by their attacker. Believe me, being shot, at close range, by a CO2 propelled AirSoft pellet does hurt, but not as much as being shot with a bullet!

 

[bob steadman]

I've always followed NRA curriculum and always encourages give and take. Encourage questions also. Even when I'm not doing NRA Basic Pistol (Not required in VA, and many women in my class just want shooting portion) I still add most of pertinent NRA info. I do use some DVD's from the NRA as an add on to the lesson.

 

[jpcmt]

Preface the class with comments like "This will be a discussion based class where your full verbal and physical participation is required..." and I keep guns in reach of students with lots of hands on. I do the classes with 4-6 students max in my dinning room, NRA posters on the wall, guns of each action and type constantly used. Handling guns a lot allows for constant demonstration of the firearms safety rules which I cover verbally at least 3x during the class. Frequent breaks, snacks/drinks, maybe a Travis Haley clip for added demonstration. I won't ever use powerpoint, there's no need unless I have a big class.

Having fun in the class is what keeps people awake and referring to others. Don't be a jackass, but don't be afraid to show them the gangster, modified gangster, and super modified gangster grips when showing them the NRA poster with the grip angles (top-down one looks like sideways gangster view). Coaxing more questions from students is best done by thanking them when they do have questions and referring back to their questions when appropriate and even illustrating why it's important to ask questions. And of course, "the only 'dumb' questions are the ones you don't ask."

 

[Straight Shooter]

I use the training team approach with Total Participant Involvement, and lots of training aids, including power point, movies, blue guns, real gund, dummy ammo, posters, etc........ This works well for me and my students.

 

[yuppor]

I issue AirSoft guns, right from the start, and we begin with becoming VERY "muzzle conscious' and very aware of where we have our trigger fingers. First offense, go stand in the corner, like a little kid! Second offense, away from the group, I chew your ass GOOD. third offense, you are out(with full refund) and I tell all the other instructors and shopowers your name and what you did.

 

[Axeanda45]

I issue AirSoft guns, right from the start, and we begin with becoming VERY "muzzle conscious' and very aware of where we have our trigger fingers. First offense, go stand in the corner, like a little kid! Second offense, away from the group, I chew your ass GOOD. third offense, you are out(with full refund) and I tell all the other instructors and shopowers your name and what you did.

What idiocy you spout.... do you actually think others listen to you?

 

[tricolordad]

I issue AirSoft guns, right from the start, and we begin with becoming VERY "muzzle conscious' and very aware of where we have our trigger fingers. First offense, go stand in the corner, like a little kid! Second offense, away from the group, I chew your ass GOOD. third offense, you are out(with full refund) and I tell all the other instructors and shopowers your name and what you did.

Mental illness strikes again.

 

[JimPage]

Good teaching techniques trump macho obsession any day. You need to learn to teach. Any fool can punish.

 

[wolf_fire]

Anyone one method is not very effective in a classroom setting. However, no matter which method you use to present the material a hand's on approach to something that is a hands on activity is essential.

There must be give and take between the instructor and the student. Encourage that with the hands on approach and with directly asking questions to specific individuals. I have found if the students know I may call on them directly, they pay attention a lot more.

The PP and projector can be very useful. I especially like using it if I'm showing something that's not static, such as the operation of a firearm. There are good videos that show the internal working mechanisms in a video like format. Is it essential? no... does it work nicely if you are being interrogative and hands on? yes.

 

[MDT]

I use a variety of methods. Since we should try to teach to all learning styles, I prefer to use auditory, visual and kinesthetic techniques. Power Points are good for teaching to all student needs (hearing deficiencies, ADHD, etc. I use dummy guns so students can see me model good technique, trigger and muzzle discipline, grip and stance. I have students take turns demonstrating those things. I also have a training barrel for one of my firearms which allows it to be used as a safe trainer. Students practice racking slides which, for some, is really difficult. Smap caps are used to teach loading mags (and unloading). Verbal interaction is used constantly where students ask questions, answer questions, etc. The more visuals and manipulatives you have, the better.

 

[United States Shooting]

Your should be teaching encouragement, direction etc. Not sending your students to the corner. You've got to be joking.

 

[Rob Taylor]

this was the way I learned when I did my instructor course its an outstanding method he is right the more they do the more they learn