5-18
PRACTICE TEACHING
Practice makes perfect Instructors need to practice teaching all year long so
they will not lose their teaching skills. When not training health workers, they can
lead classes with fellow instructors, groups of children, teenagers, or parents. This
sets a good example, and can help prepare community groups for the students to
practice teaching.
Teaching skills are as important for health workers as for their instructors.
During training, new health workers can develop teaching skills in the following
way:
STEPS IN LEARNING HOW TO TEACH A CLASS
1. Observe the instructors and discuss their teaching methods (see Ch. 1).
2. Take part in role plays to explore approaches to teaching (p. 1-17).
3. Analyze teaching objectives and methods (Ch. 1, 3, and 5).
4. Practice task analysis (p. 5-9) to be sure you cover all key points.
5. Discuss and make appropriate teaching aids (Ch. 11).
6. Take turns leading group discussions.
7. Plan classes and practice teaching the learning group (Ch. 5).
8. Begin teaching with community groups—mothers, children, teenagers.
At all stages of this teaching practice, it is important that the instructors
and other students evaluate the teaching and class plans to give constructive
suggestions. See Chapter 9 for evaluation ideas.
In this chapter we have looked at ways of teaching specific subjects. We have
seen that, for health workers to do their job effectively, their training needs to focus
on mastering necessary skills. This, in turn, requires a careful analysis of what
health workers will need to do. Such analysis is best done by the instructor and
health workers together.
We have seen that it makes sense to teach all subjects in a way that is
problem related and skill oriented. Appropriate learning starts with the students’
knowledge of their own communities. This provides the base on which new
knowledge and skills can be built.
Training time is limited and precious. Therefore, the
methods and content of classes must be constantly and
critically examined to be sure they meet the students’
needs.
REMEMBER:
AIM TEACHING AT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.