FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR GUIDE Aeroplane - South African Civil ...

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES
SUMMARY AND GUIDE
1. The following techniques, if applied in a conscientious manner, will assist the flight
instructor in giving effective instruction. Because most flight instructors also carry out
some, if not all of the ground school training, references to classroom type instruction are
included in this summary. The techniques of instruction, questioning techniques, lesson
planning, etc., are equally applicable for providing large group instruction or on a
one-to-one basis for air instruction, individual preparatory ground instruction, or pre-flight
briefings.
2. To present a lesson in a professional manner, you must prepare in advance and proceed
as follows:
(a) PREPARE A LESSON PLAN
(1) Reason: A lesson plan acts as a guide and keeps you on track during your
presentation. It also ensures that important points are covered and not neglected
because of poor memory.
(2) What to include: Headings of main points — sufficient notes to jog memory on
talking points — specific questions and answers to confirm student learning — visual
aid instructions (including a chalkboard plan) — a well thought out opening and
closing statement — estimates of the amount of time to be spent on each major idea
or item — a visual aids plan — any other point that you feel will help to get the
lesson across.
(3) What to avoid: Writing material out in full detail (this promotes reading the material
while in front of the class); using single space format (this does not allow for revising
notes next time the lesson is to be given); writing in longhand unless you are able to
read your notes at a distance of three feet (this makes you appear not to know your
material because of having to look closely at your lesson plan rather than just glance
at it to jog your memory).
(b) PREPARE THE CLASSROOM/TEACHING AREA BEFORE THE LESSON
(1) Reason: The class must be arranged for best student learning. If students cannot
see all the aids, they may miss a point. Lesson preparation appears more
professional if no time is wasted organizing aids or re-arranging seating.
(c) PREPARE/CHECK TRAINING DEVICES/AIDS BEFORE THE LESSON
(1) Reason: It avoids embarrassment should an item not work, or if any chart, slide or
graph were to be shown in the wrong order. Always ensure you have extra light
bulbs for any projection device.
(d) PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS FOR LEARNING
(1) Reason: If students are to learn, they must be physically, mentally and emotionally
ready to do so.
(2) How to do it:
(a) Tell students specifically what is required of them during the lesson and what
they will be able to do at the end of the lesson.
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