[Sca-cooks] Teaching in the SCA

[Saint Phlip]

Actually, I've been thinking about your question, and what I'd like to
say, since I do a bit of teaching, myself.

As far as what it takes for me to teach, all I really need is a venue-
which, since what I primarily teach is blacksmithing, can be difficult
;-) Often, though, the difficulty is not from MY point of view, but
from the unnecessary worries that an autocrat would have. I work
safely- I have never had so much as a lifted eyebrow from any Fire
Marshall that has looked at my set up (of course, 2 fire
extinguishers, a bucket of sand, and a large bucket of water DO give
the impression that I'm well prepared ;-) But, autocrats DO worry, and
sometimes it takes a bit to convince them that really, all I need is a
15' X 15' flatish space. Preferences include a water spigot and a
bathroom in reasonable proximity (time I take to go to the bathroom is
time that people can't use the forge unless certain safety conditions
are met) and maybe help setting up and tearing down.

As far as what I actually teach, it will depend on a number of
factors, including the ages of the students, what THEY are interested
in, what _I_ feel like teaching, and what supplies I have available.
But, one of the very important thing about my teaching, is that as
soon as I can, I get someone who has learned a technique to show it to
the next person. By teaching others, they learn better, and my shop
becomes more than a bunch of individuals doing their thing, but rather
a team working together, everyone helping everyone else. When it's
working right, I just sit back and supervise, and only say something
or help if there is real need. One of the things I've discovered, too,
is that occasionally, when I run into someone who doesn't understand
my explanation, often there's someone in the class who CAN help them
understand.

So, rather than teaching itself, my goal is to provide a learning
environment. Seems to work pretty well ;-)

On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 2:26 PM, Johnna Holloway <johnnae at mac.com> wrote:
> Since the list is quiet, does anyone have thoughts on teaching and classes
> in the SCA?
>
> Johnnae
>
>
>
> Johnna mentioned on April 21:
>
> > I thought people on the list might like to know that
> > the Theme for the next TI Quest is on teaching.
> >
> > Tempted to Teach.
> > What does it take to entice you to teach?
> > What equipment do you need? Handicapped Access?
> > Facilities? Etc.
> >
> > May 7, 2008 is the deadline.
> >
> > Suggestions can be sent to tieditor at sca.org
> >
> > Johnnae

-- 
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Priorities:

It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.

.I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow