Teaching guides?

[Marc Vickery]

I have an opportunity to help a seniors wood shop learn stuff about their lathe. I’ve been turning since 2011, so I am familiar with it. But teaching or working with others seems like a good way to pass on my bad habits.
I looked for a teaching guide in resources but couldn’t find anything.
Can you guide me to some guides in AAW resources or library or somewhere?
Thanks,
Marc Vickery

 

[Dave Landers]

Some resources on the main AAW site. Look under Resources -> Publications -> Mentoring & Teaching (need to be logged in as AAW member)

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www.woodturner.org

or Learn -> Become a Demonstrator (mostly about demonstrating, but some good tips there for teaching)

DDirectDemoHomepage - Main

www.woodturner.org

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

It is a lot to wade thru but the infor Dave pointed you to is great. Look for one titled TEaching Guide. You might also search here as there have been discussions. I think @hockenbery has commented on doing demos somewhat.

 

[hockenbery]

have an opportunity to help a seniors wood shop learn stuff about their lathe.

Have fun. Tell them a little bit at a time. Try to avoid going too far down a rabbit hole when answering an off topic question.

Working with seniors has some additional challenges .
Similar to kids they are more likely to lack hand strength and range of motion of middle aged turners..

Granted, some seniors can give a bone crushing hand shake but many can’t pressure fit a box lid to turn it. They might get it on but lack the strength needed to get the lid off.

The challenge is to evaluate their range of motion, ability to dance with the lathe, hand strength.
Fortunately turning requires little strength a most seniors do quite well.

 

[Peter D'Attomo]

""Have fun. Tell them a little bit at a time. Try to avoid going too far down a rabbit hole when answering an off-topic question.""
As Hockenberry said, Feed them with a teaspoon, and don't get off track.

I've helped senior beginners to turn, how to use the tools and technique. Then tell them to practice, if they are interested, they will practice, if not you won't waste your time.

 

[John K Jordan]

A friend recently taught a class of seniors. (People even older than me.) He said it was a nightmare. What would have helped a lot was to have had more people helping teach. One instructor per student would have been ideal for THAT particular class.

JKJ

 

[Don Stephan]

After struggling for years to control the cutting edge, I picked up; some tips from Richard Raffan Youtube videos and from the books by Mike Darlow. In our Tool Control for Spindle Turning class the suggestions are handle against underside of the forearm, elbow snug to side of body, shoulders and hips parallel to lathe axis, raise handle by raising dominant side shoulder, move tool body along rest by leaning from the ankiles. Not how everyone turns, but reduces the number of muscles involved in moving the cutting edge. Rotating at hips or feet to move cutting edge along tool rest, continuously changes distances of cutting edge from lathe axis, leaning from the ankles does not. My two cents. Darlow goes on to describe four grips for the non-dominant hand.

 

[Don Stephan]

Expecting every turning group to research and develop their own tool control class is a huge waste of time and resources. Better AAW organizes a study group, including those with teaching and training experience, to develop in depth materials for a tool control class and then make available free of charge to all member groups. And offer workshops on giving the class at symposiums.

My two cents,