Instructors: teaching ability/compatibility
- Thread starter sigcurious
- Start date
To clear up a possible misunderstanding, I am not saying the Basic Pistol course does not require shooting. I am saying that my Basic Pistol Instructor course did not require shooting.
Since the course was taught by NRA Certified Training Counselors and the NRA issued the certification, they would be wrong to pull a certification. It is not the student's responsibility to warranty that the NRA CERTifIED Training Counselors teach the proper material.
Since the course was taught by NRA Certified Training Counselors and the NRA issued the certification, they would be wrong to pull a certification. It is not the student's responsibility to warranty that the NRA CERTifIED Training Counselors teach the proper material.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
If you'd like to provide me by PM with the Training Counselor's contact information, I'll be happy to refer the matter to the Training Department at the NRA.skifast said:
But we're drifting off topic.
NRA Instructor training - Skifast: Shooting is an absolute requirement in an NRA Instructor Training Course. Not only to pre-qualify, but also during the course itself. Instructor candidates must work on the firing line during the course, actually conducting portions of the firing lesson. This is very important, as this is where the rubber hits the road. Training Counselors should be evaluating the performance on the firing line, and ensuring candidates are following the NRA eight step method. IF you have firsthand knowledge of a Training Counselor conducting our courses, without following NRA Policies and Procedures, please send a detailed email to me at jhoward@nrahq.org. Our courses are a national standard, because they are "standardized" and to hear of courses that are not conducted appropriately is not only disturbing, but insulting.
R/John Howard
NRA National Instructor Trainer
R/John Howard
NRA National Instructor Trainer
This is the conversation between my instructor and I:
Him: What is the main purpose of the right hand?
Me: Squeeze the trigger.
Him: Then why are you gripping the gun so tightly?
Him: What is the left hand supposed to do?
Me: Support the gun.
Him: *Pushes my gun, tilting the barrel down* Then why isn't it supported?
The best way to teach is to make the student understand what he/she is doing, and correct him/her (if necessary).
From what I've seen it's mainly the student's fault that they aren't learning/improving. They walk in with the attitude that since they are paying the instructor, it's the instructor's job to please them and teach them how to shoot well.This is especially true for people with extra dough. These are the people that see this learning experience as a business transaction.
However, there will be times when you wish the instructor wasn't so asinine. But just remember, you're not there to make a friend, you're there to learn how to shoot.
Him: What is the main purpose of the right hand?
Me: Squeeze the trigger.
Him: Then why are you gripping the gun so tightly?
Him: What is the left hand supposed to do?
Me: Support the gun.
Him: *Pushes my gun, tilting the barrel down* Then why isn't it supported?
The best way to teach is to make the student understand what he/she is doing, and correct him/her (if necessary).
From what I've seen it's mainly the student's fault that they aren't learning/improving. They walk in with the attitude that since they are paying the instructor, it's the instructor's job to please them and teach them how to shoot well.This is especially true for people with extra dough. These are the people that see this learning experience as a business transaction.
However, there will be times when you wish the instructor wasn't so asinine. But just remember, you're not there to make a friend, you're there to learn how to shoot.
PADefenseTrainer
New member
Hank15,
As with your instructor, my favorite teaching technique is to ask questions. When people have to think and answer, they stay involved, but more importantly, they stay engaged.
But I'm not 100% on...
I feel it is my job to alter my technique to the student as much as humanly possible. But even then, if I STILL fail to get them to learn, I may see if there is another instructor that may be a better fit.
Of course that may just be my ego talking. It can get pretty loud and opinionated at times.
Good points though.
As with your instructor, my favorite teaching technique is to ask questions. When people have to think and answer, they stay involved, but more importantly, they stay engaged.
But I'm not 100% on...
I feel it is my job to alter my technique to the student as much as humanly possible. But even then, if I STILL fail to get them to learn, I may see if there is another instructor that may be a better fit.
Of course that may just be my ego talking. It can get pretty loud and opinionated at times.
Good points though.
There is an issue of the instructor & student not meshing. When I was the lead firearms instructor at our academy, we switched students every 20 minutes. The students remained at their firing point, the instructors moved over. The most common experience was for the 'new' instructor to repeat, word for word, what the 'old' instructor said, only for the student to state:
"Oh, THATS what he/she meant!"
Only the results mattered. With over 5,000 students in 9 years, only two failed shooting. One for lack of desire (I ran into the student later, who told me that they realized law enforcement was not what they wanted to do.) The other just could not "get" it, and lost their job.
"Oh, THATS what he/she meant!"
Only the results mattered. With over 5,000 students in 9 years, only two failed shooting. One for lack of desire (I ran into the student later, who told me that they realized law enforcement was not what they wanted to do.) The other just could not "get" it, and lost their job.