Organization

· Ideas for Getting Teacher Aides

1. Tim Ohrman, W2CN, gets students from previous classes to help teach: "They have fresh class experiences and their excitement is contagious."

2. If several people teach a class that's coordinated by one head instructor, says Stephen Ewall, WB3IRC, students see Amateur Radio as a hobby that is a cooperative group, which it really is.

· Rules to Get Hams to Help You Teach

1. Make clear exactly what you want volunteers to do. People won't agree to do something if they're not sure what they'll be doing.

2. Make sure the task has a definite beginning and end. People won't volunteer if they don't know how much time to expect to give.

3. Don't make tasks overwhelming--you won't get any volunteers.

4. Ask people to do tasks they do well, especially at first. They'll be willing to do tasks they know about. Once they've succeeded, they'll try new things.

5. Explain how the tasks fit in with the class. People like being part of a project, and work well if they know others depend on them.

6. Tell each person they, in particular, are needed. If a volunteer thinks you just need bodies, they won't do as good a job because they could be easily replaced.

7. Ask volunteers in person; don't phone or send notes. This tells them you think their help is important.

8. Be enthusiastic about the class. Don't joke about "railroading." Don't apologize for asking for help. Show them it's important,and you take it seriously.

· Where do you find classroom facilities? One idea: The best place to start looking is to go to the highest town official--the mayor, etc. Go to the Top Dog! Remind Top Dog of the community service the area amateurs have done, and suggest the Civil Defense meeting room or city park buildings.

· Think about holding a Saturday afternoon class. Tony Young, WA3YLO, says youngsters can attend without getting home late at night or having conflicts with homework. He holds it in February (before Maryland's nice weather can cut into attendance). He asks previous classes' grads to talk to new class enrollees. For example, three generations from one family in last year's class came to a new class, and the 12-year-old, KA3TDF, spoke before 70 inspired new prospects! Tony feels this gives confidence to students and cuts down on early attrition. Tony's club sponsors extra weekly CW practice. Fall classes begin in October rather than September. Young people have settled down in the school routine and in study habits by then. Also, many adults go on vacation right after Memorial Day; October classes avoid the absenteeism problem.

· Bill Falk, K7WJF, writes about licensing class fees: "For the best results, a charge should be involved and it should be an amount anyone can afford, an amount that causes students to try to get something for the money. Dropout and failure rates are higher with a free class. I'd charge $10-20 with special arrangements for youngsters. Textbooks would be additional."

· Dean Haworth, AC0S, writes about code hints: "To keep it interesting, I hold call sign drills, short-word practice (the, for, was, etc) and sending practice."

· Bob Spencer, WA2GYY, and co-teachers avoid problems with class facilities. "Teacher coordinator Joe Hoffman, KA2AXN, convinced Rennselaer County (NY) RACES to sponsor the class. This was the hams' way "in" to their county-government-run community college. Community colleges offer ample parking, security, easy access for handicapped, a well-known location, photocopiers, test and AV equipment, well-heated classes, lab and meeting rooms and even radio shacks. (Our county's radios were in a state of neglect--but not now.) Working through Continuing Education releases us from liability insurance problems."

· Ken Alexander, KC9OG, experienced at teaching and attending AT&T company courses, shares his list of teaching dos and don'ts:

1. Start classes on time--after breaks, too.

2. Give precise assignments to assistant instructors to avoid duplication of materials being presented.

3. Require team teachers to adhere to their allotted time, or else some lessons will get cut short.

4. Team teachers should review materials several times so they can remember important points in class.

5. Do not read from the text. Tell students to do this themselves.

6. Make arrangements for special equipment (or materials) required and be sure it works.

7. Try demonstrations before class. A demo that doesn't work is worse than none at all.

8. Don't talk to the class while facing the board.

9. The Novice and Technician licenses are entry-level licenses. Focus on what something does, not how it works. Don't go beyond the scope of the materials.

10. Cover all lesson material that's on the exam.

· School teacher, Barbara Edwards, worked with ARRL-registered instructor Dan Rabb, N4MPX. Barbara became KC4PBB, and, together, she and Dan licensed 27 students. Instructors benefit from contact with teachers who use Amateur Radio in school: You can ask the teacher to recruit parents and grandparents of students to your evening classes. The teacher can send students to your General classes to upgrade. You can ask the teacher to invite licensed students to work with young people in your class--kids always like working with other kids.

· A letter from Charles Moeller, N4FVU, shares a comment from Ed Cushing, W4GW, where both agree that in concentrating on increasing the number of licensed amateurs, sometimes we forget to encourage new hams to join our ARRL. Charles says, "We are the only organization fighting to preserve the rights of all amateurs." ARRL helps instructors encourage students through our graduation kit. It contains certificates, operating aids and invitations to join ARRL. If you need a kit, tell HQ how many.

How's Your Student Dropout Rate?

Tony Young, WA3YLO, tells how he and fellow instructors whittle down the number of people who don't return to classes. What works is a two-part plan. The first part involves sets of computer-generated name tags! Once students "own" a name tag, they have made a commitment to be part of the class. The other prong of Tony's plan involves official "welcomers." The welcomers, who are often enthusiastic students from previous classes, greet students and make sure the name tags are made up and put on. Welcomers make phone calls a few weeks before class starts to people who've contacted instructors. They remind the new students about where and when the class meets. By the third class night, welcomers invite students to participate in local ham activities, such as public service events, club breakfasts and Field Day. Welcomers also phone students when they don't show up for a class, to ask if they need help. These activities remind students that they are part of a group, that people are there to help them, and are "cheering them on." Here's an easy-to-follow check list of Tony's ideas:

1. Ask previous students to help you--try ones who are energetic and active on-the-air.

2. Three weeks before class starts, welcomers call students to remind them of class time, date and QTH.

3. Welcomers make sets of name tags for students.

4. On the first day of class (and all other classes), welcomers greet students and help put on name tags.

5. Welcomers tell students about local ham events to keep students involved.

6. Welcomers call those who don't show up for a class to find out if they need help.

7. Welcomers hand out club newsletters and recruit students to join the club.

8. Welcomers hand out ARRL materials and recruit students to join ARRL and be an active ham.