WORKPLACE TRAINING

CONTENTS
Training Session
PAGE NUMBER

INSTRUCTOR ATTRIBUTES
Eye contact

67

Stance and movement

67

Gestures and facial expression

67

Appearance

68

Level of language

68
68 69

Voice
Revision

70

Notes

71

Learning Outcome 6
Exhibit appropriate instructor attributes.
Assessment Criteria
6.1

Exhibit appropriate instructor attributes.

5.5

Describe the instructor attributes that influence instructional effectiveness.

5.6

Exhibit appropriate instructor attributes.

REFERENCES
a.

Delivering Effective Training, T.W. Goad, 1982.

b.

Making learning fun, J Sleigh, 1990.

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INSTRUCTOR ATTRIBUTES
INSTRUCTOR ATTRIBUTES
1.
Students will model their behavior on you. If you have poor attributes then learning
will suffer.
Preparation
2.

A good instructor always prepares for the lesson by:

Considering the content of the lesson to ascertain the best way to present it.

Preparing a lesson plan.

Ensuring they have a sound knowledge of the subject.

Checking all aids and equipment prior to the lesson.

Checking the students background to ensure the lesson is pitched at the

appropriate level.

Eye contact
3.

Maintaining eye contact throughout a lesson:

Personalizes instruction.

Allows the instructor to check for confusion.

Keeps students alert.

Focuses student attention on the instructor and vice versa.

NOTE
This is a non-verbal classroom management device.

Stance and movement

4.

When moving about the class it is important to:

Be natural and purposeful.

Use movement to focus attention.

Avoid distracting movements e.g.; pacing, rocking, tapping and so on.

Gestures and facial expression

5.

A good instructor should use:

Natural and purposeful gestures.

Non-verbal cues to help students answer, eg. nod or smile.

Gestures and expressions as a management devise.

FCS M3 LO6 - 67

Appearance
6.

A good instructor display a professional attitude by:

Dressing neatly and appropriately.

Being well groomed.

7.
Students will model their behavior on you. If you appear untidy, disorganized and
slouch around the classroom you can hardly expect them to be different.
Level of language
8.
Students may not have had the benefit of experience in the job. Consequently, be
aware of the limitations of their experience. Unless it has been previously introduced and
explained, avoid:

Jargon.

Abbreviations.

Technical language.

Voice
9.
Your voice has a major effect on the communication process. Try to listen to yourself
whilst you are talking. Listed below are some things to work at:

Volume/projection:
i.
ii.
iii.

Keep your head up.

Speak loud enough for the person at the back to hear.
Maintain good eye contact.
Clarity:

Modulation:

Pronounce words clearly.

Dont mumble.

Vary pitch, tone and volume of your voice to add emphasis to you
presentation.

Pace:

The verbal delivery should flow smoothly.

Avoid ums and ahs.
A well timed pause can add emphasis.
NOTE
The pace of a lesson can take two forms:
1.
how quickly you speak and
2.
how quickly the material is presented
FCS M3 LO6 - 68

Organisation
10.
The instructor who is organized and professional in their approach to the job instills
confidence in the class.
Enthusiasm
11.
Students will follow the instructions and guidance of an interested, enthusiastic,
confident instructor more readily than those of a disinterested, lethargic instructor.
12.
An instructor who takes a professional approach to instruction and who is always
thoroughly prepared and willing to assist students, will always be more effective than the
disinterested, poorly prepared instructor.
Summary
13.
As the instructor you should look professional. But how do you achieve this? Dress
according to the type of instruction being given and to whom it is being given. To instruct
students in resuscitation techniques at the base pool you need not be dressed to go a formal
function. If you were going to instruct or given a presentation to senior ranks in a classroom
situation you wouldnt be wearing board shorts. Ideally dont stand out from the crowd, keep
dress standards at a level that your students should achieve.
14.
A well prepared instructor can increase the learning success rate of students by
giving it some thought. Try looking at yourself from the students point of view; you may wish
to change a few things.
15.
Look at physical appearance. Do you look like a professional instructor? Remember
to use eye contact, stance and movement as well as the qualities in your voice to keep the
students attention and maintain interest. Ask yourself;
Do I look approachable or do I look threatening?
16.
Be enthusiastic about the material you instruct. It you dont show enthusiasm about it
then your students certainly wont.
17
Ensure that you are prepared and organized before the lesson begins. This means
ensuring that:

You have a sound knowledge of the subject which means keeping up to date with
technological changes,
The content you teach meets the demand of the course, and
You have a prepared lesson plan (refer to Lesson Plan lesson).

18.
There is nothing more de-motivating for the student than to see the instructor
scrambling around at the front of the classroom trying to get himself organized so he can
begin the lesson.
NOTE
Remember you are a professional

FCS M3 LO6 - 69

REVIEW QUESTIONS

FCS M3 LO6 - 70

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FCS M3 LO6 - 71