I was asked by the Gloucestershire Federation WI to give a class on crochet.
A phone call last week informed me that the class was oversubscribed and could I take more students than my maximum? This is usually a difficult decision, as demonstrating crochet is quite a daunting task with large numbers when you try the traditional... "gather round" ...demonstration technique.
Using this traditional teaching technique there is also the consideration of mass disruption every time you wish to demonstrate. By using traditional methods with large numbers of students, means the merry - go - round of all your students getting out of their seats and standing around.. then going back to their seats trying to remember what you said and continuing with their work. Often a nuisance for both tutor and students.
So this morning 15 students arrived at Cherrington Village Hall to learn the art of crochet. We arranged 3 large tables with 5 chairs at each one, so the students were seated in groups.
. 
(students working)
Using the docucam meant the students never need to move out of their seats, and could see the demonstrations on the screen in real time and perhaps even more important they could follow along crocheting at the same time as I was demonstrating. Naturally this had the advantage that if they experienced a problem. I could easily do a quick replay of the technique or skill I was demonstrating. {Note to self.... make sure to have a manicure before using docucam, as hands are magnified onto the screen!}
(this is a photo of the screen with my rather anaemic hand demonstrating how to hold the yarn in the left hand)
Of course I also used the docucam to show patterns to the group, as well as finished crochet items and these are easily seen on the large screen.
The two and a half hours seemed to fly by this morning and I feel sure the learning was enhanced by the use of the docucam. The result of using this technology was a relaxed, hard working group of students who have asked me to return and teach them some more crochet skills. I am more than happy to do that with my trusty and wonderful docucam to help me.
NB -click on photos to enlarge.
So how do you use the docucam in your teaching?
Maggie H.
2 comments:
Maggie, thank you for sharing this. Some good points, especially the value of being able to follow a process in "real time" and work along with the demonstration. Often a tutor will comment that "no, you have to watch first" when students are eager to get going whilst it's still in their mind...that gap between watching and listening and actually doing can swallow up a whole heap of instruction!
Techniques such as knitting and crochet are very difficult to teach in large groups - the docucam makes it more feasible.
You are absolutely right Gill.... when I am in learning mode, I like demonstrations, but by time I get back to my seat to do it ... all the instructions seem ot go out of my head. So impoortant as a tutor to make learning accessible to everyone.. especially when taching large groups of students.
Maggie
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