NPQ Instructor I

Introduction and Registration Sign the time in sheet. Classroom Rules –Students can only miss 3.6 hours of the class. Excused or unexcused. –Be careful with the laptops, these are on loan. –Silent your cell phones –Notify instructor of emergencies.

Speaking Activity Find out some about your neighbor. –Name –Agency How long Position –Current Assignment –Why are you here –Favorite TV show –Favorite Movie –Little known fact –What else did you learn?

Overview Unit 1: Introduction/Communication Unit 2: Legal Considerations Unit 3: Instructor’s Role in Safety Unit 4: Demonstration Techniques Unit 5: Instructional Media Unit 6: Instructional Delivery Unit 7: Classroom Management Unit 8: Testing and Evaluation

Terminal Performance Objective Students shall deliver a minute presentation using at least 3 different audio/visual aids.

Enabling Objectives Examine the challenges instructors will encounter and how to properly handle situations.

Why be a fire service instructor? In-Service Training Supervisor What kind of impact can you have?

Influences Who has influenced you? –Career –Life –Etc…

Influence as Instructors All levels –Station –Battalion –Department –Region

Promoting Positive Values Break down and build up –Constructively Motivate others –Enthusiasm is contagious.

Instructor Roles Profession- requires specialized knowledge and long, intense preparation that includes: –Learning –Maintaining –Committing

Instructor Job Many Obligations Plan and conduct training Evaluate training program Feedback Provide formal information

Organizational Success The instructor’s role is very important. Vital to the success of the organization.

Organizational Success Philosophy and values Change Research, observation, and participation

Organizational Success Communicator between organization and students Diversity can be the greatest challenge. “Organizational success depends on YOU.”

Role Model Positively influence personnel Model and influence performance Promote high self-esteem Reflect professionalism and commitment

Characteristics of Effective Instructors Three categories: –Leadership Ability –Instructor Attributes –Qualities to Emphasize

Leadership Abilities Lead or Guide learners –Simple and manageable Provide learning opportunities Know when to follow –“Let the reins go.” Promote policy

Instructor Attributes Certain personal qualities and behaviors contribute to the instructor’s success and effectiveness of transferring needed information.

Instructor Attributes Include but not limited to: –Ability to understand and work well with people –Desire to teach –Competence in subject –Enthusiasm

Instructor Attributes Motivation Ingenuity and Creativity Empathy Mediation skills

Qualities to Emphasize Positive characteristics Avoid “Pit falls” Students want: –Honesty –Sincerity –Solutions –Inspiration –Positive humor

Communication What are ways that we communicate?

Communication Two way process Instructor as mediator Communications model

Communications Model SenderMessage Instructional Media (Medium) ReceiverFeedbackEnvironment

Communication model Message Via Medium Feedback SenderReceiver Communication Process

Senders Starts here Encodes

Message Convey intended message Clear and concise.

Instructional Media Method or format message is transmitted Use a variety

Receiver Recipient of the message Decodes Filters to consider: –Semantics –Emotions –Attitudes –Role expectations –Nonverbal cues

Feedback Gives the communicators an idea of how the individuals perceive each other. Listening –Sometimes hard but very important. Question, comment, argument, or agreement.

Environment Hearing is different from listening. –Distractions

Effective Communication Here’s a smile to lighten your day… This is the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation of a U.S. naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland, 10/95. Americans:Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision. Canadians:Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision. Americans:This is the Captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. Canadians:No. I say again, you divert YOUR course. Americans:THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS NIMITZ, WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE U.S. NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW! Canadians:This is a lighthouse. You make the call.

Speaking Techniques Learn, practice, and perfect speaking skills. Gain class attention Recognize your own distracting techniques

Other Challenges for Instructors Meet Multiple priorities Work with diverse learners Counter the apathy of personnel or management Adapt to change

Other Challenges for Instructors Cooperate with others Promote the organization Meet management directives Provide for safety.

Other Challenges for Instructors Continue professional development Schedule training Manage funding and resources Recruit qualified instructors

Any Questions?

Summary The instructor roles Characteristics of effective instructors CommunicationChallenges

Any Questions? The End.