Teaching the basics poll

[teaspoon420]

So....... a side note...... I recently taught my first group class this last weekend and would like a little feedback.

In a basic 2 6hr day class where everyone wants to make a "functional hollow piece", but no one knows how to attach a punty, Do you spend the first day going over basics and risk people not being happy?(The "fundamental" approach) or do you just demo it for everyone and then set them loose then walk around individually for short coaching tips? I know which one is the right one, but the question is..... do you structure lessons to make people happy, or do you structure them to really show them what it's all about (the latter can piss some "students" off)

I personally chose the hybrid option, first day was cutting, welding, stringer, solid maria, basic implosion, fold over clasp, and a little hollow work, flaring blowtubes, fusing them, and pulling points (coincidentially, the person who did the worst overall, also pulled the straightest point in class on the first try). The second day was "here's how you do it" now try. I felt like a chicken with it's head cutt off with 7 people to look after.

Anyways, besides the poll on this thread, any basic teaching strategies or lesson plan advice would help immensly. Keep in mind this a 2 6hr day lesson with total beginners.

[gotglass?]

when i was in the army their mantra was you're all "one day professionals" in other words this is all the training you will receive on the task for now or enough to get by... this isn't always the best option but the method of teaching was pretty solid.

The breakdown of the class was as follows: first they stated the goal and the materials given to complete the task. Then you we're informed you would receive the following.

1. A demonstration of the task at hand.
2. An explanation of the task Basically a step by step walk through.
3. A practical application of the task... they try and you observe and give individual supervision as needed

Before you start the demonstration make them aware of the heat index and to take notice what the glass looks like when it starts to move. Try and remember what it was like when you first put glass in a flame and be patient with your students... it can be very frustrating losing the battle with gravity and flowing glass

[mer]

i wouldn't try to teach tubework to total beginners, that should be an intermediate level class. i suggest starting them off with solid work.

[redashesglass]

i have taught meny small classes and if you start out telling you studants your format for teaching i think it is fair to all studants. never teach to the lowest level it will piss off studants that really get it. i start with and spend as little time as possible in scoring, flaring, handle attachment ,punty, tools stringers, and i do not do points (it can be frustrating and most people pull uneven points to start ) unless they ask. then rod pendants and small hallow vessles.

[Big Jay]

do u have a structured program of classes offered? If I was taking a class with someone and knew what the class involved how could I be mad that you followed the lesson plan?
Most classes I have ever taken in my life have required pre-requisite formats. Even most glass websites seem to follow that regime. Teaching people stuff they already know is gonna make them bored and want to be gone and teaching people stuff they cannot perform is going to make them frustrated and want to quit.


EDIT- woops redash I kind of copied your sentiments. My bad I posted after only reading the the poll question.

[Uscalus Storm]

Just because they know about something, doesn't mean they know all there is to know to perfect it. I've taught myself almost anything i've done, with word tips from a few, and a few videos on youtube. However, every couple points i pull will be crooked, and sometimes i loose the heatbase pulling stringers causing it to be uneven, and thick in some spots. If they already know something, id say go over it quickly for 10-20minutes. Have them show you they can do it i guess?

But if it's one thing i've learned, no matter who you think you are...if u dont know the majority of basic techniques, anything you try and create...will never turn out to it's full potential.

[newmexicomagma]

the few i have taught i start em off with the basics. i start them pushimg marias on solid rod then making cane by hand. once i see those are down i show em how to pull points and then how to shape a spoon. with this process i have had all students making pipes by the end of the first day. i havent done any short period classes but think i would probably teach the same way. i know most glassblowers pick it up as a hobbie but i still think they should know the right ways to do things and we shouldnt skimp on techniques that will really show the customer/ student how the glass moves.

[SouthernFume]

people have touched great subjects. nothing really anyone else can say. the one thing you might try is longer classes. i personally wouldn't want to take a six hour class if i didn't know how to blow glass. not much time for me to learn not much you can show them that they will soak in. remember glass is a foreign language, try to treat it like that. thinking back after doing this for a while,just try and give the best knowledge and most time you can to new people.

[roger parramore]

Start 'em out on teddy bears. They soon realize they have no possible chance of making anything even closely resembling a vessel. Then they're putty in your hands--for what it's worth.

[SouthernFume]

danm!!! couldn't have said it better

[preglassok]

whenever my friends want a lesson: i start them off with stringers, twisties, and the classic mushroom pendant. Depending on how they do, we go from there. To me it would be hard to teach more than 1 person at a time, because everyone has extremely different learning paces.

[Big Jay]

, and the classic mushroom pendant.

Allright , start them with stitches. That'll teach'm to stay away from glass :D:D:D:D j/k.

[ShttrdSpctrm]

hahahahahahahahha, my friend wants to start doing glass as a hobby. so I showed him how to pull stringers and do mushroom pendants. its not a bad start.

as for teaching a class, haha. never. I hate people...................jk...:D

[Kalera]

I teach every once in a while, and I always start with the basics and then at the end of the day (or 2 days... I prefer a 2 day class) I'll demo anything they want to see and they can play around a little.

If they don't nkow the very simplest things, like how glass flows or how to pull stringer, they just end up frustrated and discouraged. Almost everyone comes into the shop with big ideas on what they're going to make, and if they still have an attitude of impatience after pulling some stringers and making some spacer beads, I'll demo for them and then let them try to make the grand object they have in their head... and then, when they're sufficiently humbled by their failure, I'll explain the steps they need to master to acheive what they want, and go on with the basics.

[Swampy]

I'm just putting a lesson plan together, this is 'Introduction to Torchwork'

Objectives:
Specify skills/information that will be learned

* Safety
* Recognise and name equipment and tools.
* Safety glasses
* How to light and shut off a torch and adjust the flame.
* How to start and shut off a kiln.
* Use of equipment and handtools.

Information:
Give and/or demonstration, necessary information

1. Explain
2. Demonstrate
3. Imitate
4. Practice

Activity:
Describe activity that will reinforce the lesson

Carry out safety checks, start kiln, clean bench, check kit, spark up and spin.

[somewhere]

I'd say keep it simple. Most people here taking classes aren't looking for a new career they just want a good time and maybe a new hobby.
Lots of written info. Safety guidelines, Identification sheets, and written copies of your demo. It really helps if they have something to take home and relearn.
We have one quick demo at the beginning of each class. If they aren't interested they can get started. Then it's all about helping them create there vision.
blown work is certainly advanced so keep it simple and let them work up to it.


For Swampy,
since you may be writing for a proposal
safety glasses should go with overall safety and these all go together:
* How to light and shut off a torch and adjust the flame.
* How to start and shut off a kiln.
* Use of equipment and handtools
The kiln can be a little over a lot of students head so I would do the programing and just show them the on/off switch

Another nice helpful thing is to have a resource library where all students can borrow different books on tecs and ideas.

[Swampy]

Yeah definite Sky, on the kitlist it's first aid kit then safety glasses then GTT's.

Bandu's book is a great inspiration on so many levels.

[The Cheese]

Bandu - isn't he the guy up in Seattle that does some really large, intricate installations?

[jane clifton]

I agree with Mer and others. Trying to teach real beginners blown work is a disaster waiting to happen. When I do blown work classes, i make beginning beadmaking a prerequisite. You just have to know too much to beable to successfully do a blown piece unless you do a coil pot or something like that.

Jane

[The Cheese]

he he he... Jane's right, some of my first spoons are pretty ridiculous looking. 2" bubble with a couple big holes blown in it and a 4" stretched out neck and a funky looking mouth piece. lol - I've still got em and I used 'em too. Someone said on here once that looking back to the beginning is quite entertaining. They're right. Took me probably 4 lengths of tube before I had it half way figured out to where stuff was actually resembling a spoon. Maybe more than a couple days worth of classes would allow for.

[lava flow]

My teacher told me- "if you can stab a mushroom, you can blow glass. If you've got the coordination it takes to do that, I will teach you."

A week before my first lesson, he told me to practice spinning two pens and see how even I could get the rotation. First day in the shop, I learned to pull a stringer, gather clear, stab a mushroom, melt it round, and make a clasp. I still have it, and while it's not attractive or well made by any means, it gave me the confidence to commit. My teacher insisted that I perfect the solid glass techniques before moving on to tubing. Thank goodness!

My second student insisted on moving up to tubing before he was ready. He got it down, and soon he was making iSO, but soon he hit the ceiling of his skill level, because he had never mastered the basics. He was always fighting himself because he lacked the fundamentals. After a year or so he quit, I guess because he got bored with making the same fuming and clear ISO stuff over and over and over.

Years later, I am still on the torch and still advancing. And still the perfect circle dances just out of man's reach.

In conclusion, make 'em happy, but do it by letting them know they are learning the RIGHT way, not the FAST way.

[byron3]

Every body has their own approach, I am self taught and did not have anyone to source off of. I agree with the beads first, as this was one thing I did in the beginning. What I have seen no one mention would be simple bats. Basic 9.5 Hvy, 10, or even 12.7 Hvy wall bats, basic hollow work. Teaches basic fuming, welding blow tubes (2 tubes together), constrictions, basic flaring (bowl), shaping .... all the good fundamentals. Is simple enough beginners can produce quality results in a few attempts and they end up with functional pieces. You can always use graphite rods to help weld and keep frustration to a minimum.
Advanced students can make lumpy bats by adding clear dots ..... I think you can see where this is leading. Functional pieces even the novice should be able to bang out, simple yet functional.

Byron

[HiAltitude]

Even people who have never blown glass in their lives can blow a wonky Christmas ornament. And they'll treasure it.

[Julian]

This poll makes absolutely no sense.

People in a class should be concerned with learning, not leaving the class with finished works.

[Louie HaHa]

People in a class should be concerned with learning, not leaving the class with finished works.



Agreed. I've taught many classes to beginners and intermediate students. Solid before hollow, for sure. It's like two different worlds to a beginner. Hell, it's just two different worlds but they need to learn how to heat/move glass before working hollow. Parramore was spot on. Humility goes along way for both student and teacher.

Your layout seems good, I do something similar that I call D.E.M.O.

Describe- what we are going to make to clarify

Explain- how we are going to do it (and usually draw it on a white board for visual learners)

Make- the object for them to see it done, start to finish

Opportunity- for them to try it out

Then I just walk around and answer questions and provide 1-1 help. If the majority of students are struggling I find a stopping point, go through examples of what they made and how to alleviate the problems they are having.

This went longer than I expected it to. Beer + whiskey = long winded.....hahahahah