How do you share knowledge or skills with more than one person? If it’s just three or four people we get them together and tell them. Easy, right? What if it’s ten or twenty people? How about thirty? When numbers grow we start thinking in terms of economy. The classroom is an economical model of instruction, we are all familiar […]
Skill Instruction
Do We Demand or Earn Attention?
Scouts endure demands for their attention. In a classroom we listen for things that sound like they’ll be on the test, and strain out the rest. If someone asks a question everyone groans, because that makes the lesson longer. We learn not to interrupt, to run out the hour, and let the teacher talk. When it’s “time for instruction” […]
What Are Scouting Skills, Why Are They (Still) Important and How do We Get Them Right?
What are Scouting Skills? Can you throw some things in a pack, step off the road into the woods and live comfortably for a few days without getting lost? Can you build a fire, lash a tripod together, set up a shelter, cook your food, stay warm and dry and leave no trace of your […]
Four Steps to Scout Advancement – A Scout is Tested
Third in a series of articles about the four steps to Scout Advancement. (Click on the titles above to read the articles) … the standard of proficiency is purposely left undefined. Our standard for Badge earning is not the attainment of a certain level of quality of knowledge or skill, but the AMOUNT OF EFFORT THE BOY […]
Four Steps to Scout Advancement – A Scout Learns
Second in a series of articles about the four steps to Scout Advancement. Articles will be published each Tuesday beginning November 20, 2012 “… It is in fact nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not entirely strangled the holy spirit of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, […]
Scouts and Whittling
Scouts and whittling evokes a vivid boyhood memory of sitting on the back porch steps whittling a green stick with a steak knife purloined from my mother’s kitchen. Since then I have always had one kind of pocket knife or another and whittled when the opportunity presents itself. Sometimes it’s nothing more than reducing a stick to […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 5 – Webelos Den Leader to Scoutmaster
Scoutmaster Podcast 5 In This Podcast Webelos Den Leader to Scoutmaster Hiking story 5th in the series Instructional Methods for Scouts Scoutmaster Minute; Founder’s Day Podcast Notes Ask Andy Download Instructional Methods for Scouts.pdf (65.6K) Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS Listen to this episode (00:25:14) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 4 – Merit Badge Quality
Scoutmaster Podcast 4 In This Podcast Merit Badge Quality Humor – Bevis & Butthead 4th in the series Instructional Methods for Scouts Scoutmaster Minute; A Scout is Trustworthy Podcast Notes Download Instructional Methods for Scouts.pdf (65.6K) Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS Listen to this episode (00:25:36) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 3 – Centenary Observance
Scoutmaster Podcast 3 Centenary Observance In This Podcast Centenary Observance An Approach to Policy 3rd in the series Instructional Methods for Scouts Scoutmaster Minute; A Hot Mess Podcast Notes The Dump Instructional Methods for Scouts PDF file Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS Listen to this episode (00:30:42) Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 2 – Make the Most of Being a Scouter
Scoutmaster Podcast 2 Make the Most of Being a Scouter In This Podcast 5 Things to Make the Most of Your Opportunity as a Scout Leader Humor – Father Fred 2nd in the series Instructional Methods for Scouts Scoutmaster Minute; Cliff Young Podcast Notes Download Instructional Methods for Scouts.pdf (65.6K) Podcast: Play in new window | […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 1 – Why Scouting?
Why and how does Scouting work? What’s our role? How do we best serve our Scouts? I’ll discuss my answers in this first edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast. You can also listen to a story about the first (and last) appearance of the “fire Snake”, instructional methods for Scouts, and some ideas about coaches and […]
Teaching is Listening, Learning is Talking
Teaching is listening, learning is talking. This wonderful rule of thumb, from the educator and writer, Deborah Meier, reminds us that real learning comes, in large part, from being actively involved in the educational moment. Experiential educators have long known this and frequently advocate for teaching that involves the learner and does not, as Paulo […]
Linear Versus Interactive Learning
In his essay The Impending Demise of the University Don Tapscott defines linear learning; In the industrial model of student mass production, the teacher is the broadcaster. A broadcast is by definition the transmission of information from transmitter to receiver in a one-way, linear fashion. The teacher is the transmitter and student is a receptor in the learning process. […]
The Case for Working With Your Hands
Scouting’s vitality springs from experiential, hands-on experience rather than academic abstraction. Scouts actually do things rather than study how they are done. As an artist and tradesman I have had a long acquaintance with the benefits of working with your hands. I haven’t any formal education past high school and have had to find my own […]
Einstein The Beast of Prey and Inquiry
IT IS, IN FACT, NOTHING short of a miracle that the modern methods of education have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail. It is a very grave mistake […]
Process Intelligence
Gather wood, prepare tinder, kindling and fuel. Strike a match (maybe two) and we make fire. Preparing, building, lighting and maintaining a fire involves interdependent skills, knowledge and actions that constitute a process. Comprehending and executing a process requires process intelligence. Process intelligence is a combination of experience, vision, persistence and inspiration; all fundamental leadership […]
Realistic Wounds for First Aid
Making realistic wounds for first aid instruction is great fun. Here’s a set of instructions that will give you professional and reusable results. LINK via MAKE Texas Troop 502 has a great page with instructions on how to do first aid moulage – Lectures are boring. Providing a complete picture of an accident scene improves […]
Instructional Methods for Scouts – Skill Teams
The skill team approach lends itself to the dual goals of instructing Scouts and training instructors. As an example here is an application of the method in familiarizing Scouts with ten native plants for the First Class requirement #6: First gather and identify ten plant samples (leaves, flowers, seeds, etc). Select a group of Scouts […]
Instructional Methods For Scouts – Who Instructs?
The basis of developing instructional methods for Scouts begins by determining who instructs. If adults are doing all the instruction they are denying their Scouts the opportunity to develop some important skills. Our role is to empower our youth leadership to instruct by training them in the methods of Scout instruction. All of the skills […]
Instructional Methods For Scouts – Preparing
Good instruction is based on good instructional methods for Scouts and the preparation by of instructor. Instructors should begin with a clear goal, a thorough understanding of the subject and the resolve to keep the session active, focused and brief. An instructor with a plan can always adjust to discoveries made during the session. Without a […]
Instructional Methods For Scouts – Circle Up!
Good instructional methods for Scouts are based on where the instructor stands, and what the Scouts are doing. Neither the Scouts nor the instructor should be seated unless absolutely necessary.Keeping everyone on their feet in a circle, has several important advantages Standing requires more alertness than sitting. Scouts all have the same perspective when they are […]
Instructional Methods For Scouts – Kim’s Game
Rudyard Kipling’s 1901 novel “Kim” is the story of the orphan son of an Irish soldier in India. Kim, plays a game of observation and memory as a part of his training as a spy. Kim’s teacher, Mr. Lurgan, runs a jewel shop as a cover for his real work as a British secret agent. Lurgan […]
Instructional Methods for Scouts – Coach and Pupil
Developing the leadership skill of training or instructing means applying instructional methods for Scouts, not students in a classroom. Using the coach-pupil method has the twofold result of perfecting a specific skill and developing teacher/leaders. Scouts are paired up into coach-pupil teams. The instructor first guides all the teams through the basic components of the […]
Instructional Methods for Scouts – Guided Discovery
Instructional methods for Scouts means guiding them to discover skills or knowledge on their own. Keeping with our example of tote’n chip skills here is an example of a guided discovery- The instructor has all of the gear required to practice the skills associated with safely handling and maintaining a pocket knife. When the scouts arrive […]
