Education Through Aviation 2013/07

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www.ModelAviation.com JULY 2013 Model Aviation 149
Teachers often
say they learn
more from their
students than their
students learn
from them. That
is certainly true in
my case. Because
not everyone has
the opportunity
to work in a classroom, and may
find themselves publicly speaking on
behalf of model aviation, working in a
classroom, or leading a club meeting,
here a few things I learned while
teaching that may be valuable to your
efforts!
Recognize and leverage different
learning styles. The active and
competitive nature of model aviation—
even the simplest of gliders competing
for time aloft—makes people excited
to learn. From that experience,
students become better learners.
For this reason, I try to follow the
“platinum rule,” not the golden rule.
Treat others how they would like to be
treated.
Set high expectations. There’s
another famous saying that new
teachers are familiar with: “Don’t let
them see you smile until Christmas.”
In other words, it’s better to start out
tough and lighten up over time, rather
than starting out friendly and having to
add rules later.
Here’s the problem: success doesn’t
come from setting rules and being
strict. It comes from setting high
expectations for people and then
supporting them in their struggles to
get there.
Pursue challenges and hard
questions. Encouraging people to ask
tough questions—and being open to
their feedback and challenges—made
me a better teacher. If all you get are
easy questions, you’re not thinking
creatively.
Everyone likes to have fun. I learned
a secret while teaching. Everyone,
no matter how cool they are on the
outside, still secretly likes to have
fun. The most successful groups and
organizations I’ve worked with are
those that know how to have fun.
The best way to quiet a room is by
being quiet. I call this my teacher trick.
Here’s what you do: If you’re speaking
to a group and some people are talking
and not paying attention, the best way
to quiet them down is to stop talking
yourself.
The entire room will get noticeably
quiet and the people talking out of
turn will experience a subtle form
of shame, causing them to be quiet
as well. Try it the next time you’re
leading a meeting and there are
multiple side conversations going on.
It’s guaranteed to work!
These are in no particular order
and similar information can be found
many places. If they were in order of
importance, fun learning is by far the
best way to effectively impact your
audience!
Fly and have fun!
EDUCATION THROUGH AVIATION by Bill Pritchett, Education Director
“Age is something that doesn’t
matter, unless you are a cheese.”
—Luis Bunuel
billp@modelaircra .org
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13july.indd 149 5/21/2013 12:40:12 PM