Instructional Skills Flashcards
Roadblocks to verbal communication
direct warnings/threats, judging/criticizing/blaming, interrogating, abrupt ordering/commanding, confrontation
Best practices for verbal communication
cross-checks for comprehension, make the exercise valuable to the student
How to check your students understand your message
ask for questions, demonstrate, have them demonstrate, ask them to tell you what they are going to do, give a handout or video, give contact information and return messages promptly
Left Brained Person
likes rules and order and is organized and focused and good work ethic. Is on time, does the homework, asks questions, and enjoys handouts
Right Brained Person
creative, spontaneous, and flexible. Great imagination. Playful and emotional. May have reached the goal but not the way you assigned. Wants to work with their dog but may be inattentive to instructor.
Attributes of a good instructor
enthusiasm, friendliness, kindness, empathy, humility, patience, humor, flexibility, making students feel special, dress for success, punctual, responsible, knowledgeable
Learning styles
listening, watching, and doing. Least effective is auditory, visual information is more successful than auditory, kinesthetic information more effective than auditory or visual. Should include all 3 in your lesson plans.
Most valuable teaching skill
Listening
Roadblocks to effective listening
too busy planning your reply to pay attention or too busy trying to find points of disagreement or mistakes in the speaker
Good listening skills
passive listening (silence), acknowledgement responses (nodding, taking notes, “I see/understand”, “oh”), door opening phrases (would you like to tell me more about that), active listening
Active listening
repeating in your own words what the client has told you.
Avoid clients feeling blamed during feedback by
turning YOU statements into I statements. Example: Your dog doesn’t listen to you I see a good starting point. Let’s teach your dog to check in with you. OR You didn’t teach your dog the right behavior I can show you some basic exercises for you and your dog.
Things to consider when choosing a training method
owner aptitude, owner acceptance, impact on the dog, ethical, legal, successful, safe, humane, attitude of the instructor
PREDICTOR
Plan, Revise, Explain, Demonstrate, Instruct, Coach, Train, Observe, Review
Best Practices for Homework Assignments
goal oriented, time oriented, rep oriented or personal best challenge and provide extra and loaner resources
Dealing with Emotional Students (STOP)
S-signal, what are your bodies warning signs/signals (clenched jaw, scowl, raised voice)
T-take control of your emotions
O- opposite, do the opposite of what your signals are
P-practice this technique to get good at it
Stages of Grief
Denial, Guilt, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. Be a listener and a friend, know a specialist you can refer to.
Things to consider when working with clients with disabilities
Can the client do the work (reaching the dog, giving hand signals, speaking, adjusting equipment, coming alone or needing a helper of some sort)? Can the client intellectually learn? How can you set up the environment for them to be successful (extra space, microphone, accessibility? Be clear about what your curriculum includes (service dogs). Can your client use the training equipment effectively (holding the leash, giving treats, using a marker)
Format for Instruction
Goal, Plan, Do It, Evaluate, Revise, Goal Achieved?
4 Important Dimensions for a Training Plan
The environment, The problem, The dog, The owner
HELM
Foundation blocks to change behavior Health, Environmental Enrichment, Leadership, and Management
