From: terry@red.uucp (Terrence R. Redding)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Ham Instructor Needs Advice
Date: Sat, 07 Nov 1992 08:36:44 -0500
Reply-To: terry%red@lawton.lonestar.org
Organization: R & R Consulting.  Education and Marketing.  SDL spoken here!
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.03 Rev. Apr 14 1992

In <1992Nov3.181710.1472@pacifier.rain.com>, Mike Freeman writes:
>In article <pschleck.720599562@cwis> pschleck@cwis.unomaha.edu (Paul W Schleck KD3FU) writes:
>>
>>-  Is it just that students today find much of the memorization required
>>to pass a ham exam abhorrent?
>>
>You got it!  Today, many students are taught (with some justification)
>that they can look up anything they wish to know.  While this is true,
>it hampers them in that they are *lost* without reference works to hand.

Abhorrent is to strong a word and I doubt that it applies to all, most or 
even many of todays students.  However, it probably applies to some -:).


>Seriously, asside from my jibe about memorization, I think you're doing
>just fine.  I've seen years when *every* student dropped out of ham
>classes; the fact that some of your students bought literature is
>encouraging.  Keep in touch with them; even nag them a little.  Chances are
>that you'll get at least a couple of recruits to the wonderful world of
>amateur radio.

If you have many or a majority of your students dropping out, then something 
is wrong.  The following table shows what I consider to be normal attrition
rates for amateur radio classes in general.

ATTRITION RATES FOR HAM CLASSES BASED ON INSTRUCTORS EXPERIENCE LEVEL
_____________________________________________________________________

Years Teaching               Percent Completing

First year                   30%
Second Year                  50%
Third Year                   60%
Fourth year                  75%
Fifth year +                 80 to 100%


Of course there are a wide range of variables that effect the table listed 
above.  No two instructors have going to have the same level of success.  The 
greatest attrition rates occur with free classes.  The highest success rates 
are associated with fee classes.

Three mistakes that instructors with high attrition rates typically make are:

1.  Instructor views his task as "gatekeeping" and therefore has as part of his
objective deciding who should and shouldn't be a ham.

2.  Instructor doesn't "own" the course, but instead teaches it as part of a 
collective effort inwhich no one seems to "own" the course.

3.  Instructor lacks organization and structure for the course.  Fails to 
follow an instructional plan, decides at the last minute what will be taught,
uses videos instead of teaching, never starts on time and tends to hold his 
class too late.  This kind of instructor isn't.  Instead, he typically loves 
amateur radio, wants to share it and is really looking for fellowship.  
Students of this types instructor that don't drop out are committed to becoming
hams or simply enjoy the fellowship.

An excellent reference for practical ways to plan amateur radio courses can be 
found in the publications from the annual ARRL National Educational Workshop
Proceedings.  I think three editions can be had for $12.00.  Regards, Terry.


-- 
DOMAIN: terry%red@lawton.lonestar.org (Terrence R. Redding)
UUCP:   . . . !rwsys!lawton!red!terry (Terrence R. Redding)
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Voice 405 536-8822, Ben's Place (Benjamin Franklin) BBS 536-6988 9p to 6a
PhD candidate, University of Oklahoma in Adult and Higher Education
Educational Advisor, American Radio Relay League
221 SW Crystal Hills Drive, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc