I taught in church today

[creekster]

I get to do the lesson on the Relief Society. I will borrow liberally from the writings of Margaret Toscano, mingled with the philosophies of men.

I did not have to teach that one but I read it and thought it was a hard one to get ready. Je vous souhaite bonne chance!

[Indy Coug]

I did not have to teach that one but I read it and thought it was a hard one to get ready. Je vous souhaite bonne chance!

Merci je vous en prie

[Jeff Lebowski]

I teach GD and HPG in my ward (every other week GD and once a month HPG). I never use videos. Ever.

Because...

[creekster]

Because...

It doesnt suit me. I find they tend to detract from particiaption. Half the class glazes over and the other half sort of pays attention but there is little meaningful discussion that comes out of it in my experience. I think this is partly true becasue people see the videos as authoritative and not something they want to argue with. They see me as a clown with a tie or something and so I can get people taking lots of different points of view in a discussion. I realize this is not true for everyone, and I am not trying to be critical of anyone that uses videos, as there are as many styles of teaching as their are teachers, but they just dont work for me.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It doesnt suit me. I find they tend to detract from particiaption. Half the class glazes over and the other half sort of pays attention but there is little meaningful discussion that comes out of it in my experience. I think this is partly true becasue people see the videos as authoritative and not something they want to argue with. They see me as a clown with a tie or something and so I can get people taking lots of different points of view in a discussion. I realize this is not true for everyone, and I am not trying to be critical of anyone that uses videos, as there are as many styles of teaching as their are teachers, but they just dont work for me.

Interesting. Does everything need to be something one can argue with?

I think videos are best when used as very short clips with a specific objective and there is quite a bit of research on the effectiveness of multimedia in teaching (in a general sense, not necessarily LDS classroom setting). The church is investing a fortune right now in developing short video clips of biblical events/stories. Of course we have all seen people use videos as a crutch for lack of preparation.

Personally, I think the manner in which a lesson closes makes a big difference on the impact of the lesson. 99% of the time it seems that they end with "Whoops, look at the time. Thanks for your contribution and can I get a volunteer for a closing prayer?" I think it is nice to have some sort of review/summation/testimony at the end. Sometimes a short video clip can do that.

[jay santos]

Interesting. Does everything need to be something one can argue with?

Class participation is vastly overrated.

[creekster]

Interesting. Does everything need to be something one can argue with?

I think videos are best when used as very short clips with a specific objective and there is quite a bit of research on the effectiveness of multimedia in teaching (in a general sense, not necessarily LDS classroom setting). The church is investing a fortune right now in developing short video clips of biblical events/stories. Of course we have all seen people use videos as a crutch for lack of preparation.

Personally, I think the manner in which a lesson closes makes a big difference on the impact of the lesson. 99% of the time it seems that they end with "Whoops, look at the time. Thanks for your contribution and can I get a volunteer for a closing prayer?" I think it is nice to have some sort of review/summation/testimony at the end. Sometimes a short video clip can do that.

I am sure you are right. I have no doubt for many people they are a fantastic way to close a lesson. I am only spekaing for myself here.

I think you have misunderstood what I said. I do nto seek an argument. I would be unliley to use the approach you are suggesting for your HPG lesson in my ward, for example (although it miught be fine for your ward), becasue I think it would be too likely to end up in contention. My point and my goal is to seek menaingful discussion based upon the needs and experiences fo the class memebrs I am dealing with. I find I am much more effective in doing this if I remain personally involved in guiding the discussion. Last Sunday, for example, I would estimate that my speaking time was only about 30% of the total speaking time during SS. And yet I think (and of course I am biased so could be wrong) that the discussion managed to stay focused and moved to a conclusion. Now there is no reason one couldnt do this with a video, but for me it doesnt work.

I will also say I tend not to be a huge fan of the church's videos as I find them to often be manipulative on an emotional level. That's just not a platform from which I teach very well.

I do agree that the closing of a lesson is important. I think that it is incumbent upon the instructior to be aware of the time. I always like to summarize some of the high points, and will even identify specific comments that I want people to take away (especially if they were made by infrequent contributors, as a little recognition tends to encourage poeple to contribute in the future). Thats what works for me. A video would be a excellent alternative in many circumstances, I am sure. Just not my thing.

[creekster]

Class participation is vastly overrated.

WHy?

[Pheidippides]

Class participation is vastly overrated.

A freaking men!

Also, videos are for losers. Make me turn off my iPad so the light doesn't give me away in the darkened room. Ive used a video once. It was a BKP one too.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am sure you are right. I have no doubt for many people they are a fantastic way to close a lesson. I am only spekaing for myself here.

I think you have misunderstood what I said. I do nto seek an argument. I would be unliley to use the approach you are suggesting for your HPG lesson in my ward, for example (although it miught be fine for your ward), becasue I think it would be too likely to end up in contention.

I think it all depends on how it is presented. Our HPG lessons have been mind-numbingly boring lately. Same 3-4 people giving the same types of answers (bragimonies mainly) over and over again. I am trying to think of something to get more people engaged in a discussion. I hope I don't crash and burn.

My point and my goal is to seek menaingful discussion based upon the needs and experiences fo the class memebrs I am dealing with. I find I am much more effective in doing this if I remain personally involved in guiding the discussion. Last Sunday, for example, I would estimate that my speaking time was only about 30% of the total speaking time during SS. And yet I think (and of course I am biased so could be wrong) that the discussion managed to stay focused and moved to a conclusion. Now there is no reason one couldnt do this with a video, but for me it doesnt work.

I will also say I tend not to be a huge fan of the church's videos as I find them to often be manipulative on an emotional level. That's just not a platform from which I teach very well.

Yeah, I feel the same way about a lot of them.

In this case, I was thinking of reading a short DU quote that inspired me and then I thought it would be more effective to hear it directly from the Silver Fox himself. Maybe it wouldn't be worth the effort.

I do agree that the closing of a lesson is important. I think that it is incumbent upon the instructior to be aware of the time. I always like to summarize some of the high points, and will even identify specific comments that I want people to take away (especially if they were made by infrequent contributors, as a little recognition tends to encourage poeple to contribute in the future). Thats what works for me. A video would be a excellent alternative in many circumstances, I am sure. Just not my thing.

Gotcha. Thanks.

[mtnbiker]

I think it is nice to have some sort of review/summation/testimony at the end.

Man, you're hitting a nerve there. To me, a review/summary implies that you think I haven't been listening and aren't smart enough to understand the points you're trying to make in the lesson. Plus, our EQP and one of the counselors tend to drag on and on with their summations, so that we are always 5 minutes late getting out. I think that's rude to make the families wait for the EQ to finish up every single week.

Also, at least one of the counselors in our bishopric feels like he has to summarize all the talks at the end of Sacrament meeting. It really deflates the spirit that was in the room from the talks.

[Harry Tic]

I think that it is incumbent upon the instructior to be aware of the time.

This is 90% of good teaching in the church. Just end on time. That's all I ask. Anything more is gravy.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Man, you're hitting a nerve there. To me, a review/summary implies that you think I haven't been listening and aren't smart enough to understand the points you're trying to make in the lesson. Plus, our EQP and one of the counselors tend to drag on and on with their summations, so that we are always 5 minutes late getting out. I think that's rude to make the families wait for the EQ to finish up every single week.

Also, at least one of the counselors in our bishopric feels like he has to summarize all the talks at the end of Sacrament meeting. It really deflates the spirit that was in the room from the talks.

Sheesh, I don't think I am communicating the point well. Yes, a bulleted list of conclusions would be a boring way to wrap up. And of course going over the time limit would be completely counterproductive to what I am describing. I am simply talking about trying to end on a high note rather than just an abrupt, haphazard "I am out of time" end.

[Paperback Writer]

Because...

[RANT MODE ON]
Because one might be in a ward building that never gets the latest equipment; all that good stuff goes to the stake center. So I'm requested to go to GD class ASAP by the significant other to reserve "good seats" while she makes the rounds to get all the latest ward gossip. Since I'm one of the first ones to enter into the classroom, a panicked GD teacher enlists my help to get the arcane equipment working. So I set up the circa 1950 white screen that seems identical to the one my parents used to show family vacation slides. Once that is set up, I'm handed a sheet of paper containing a Wilford Woodruff quote that I'm asked to read as it is a "key part" of the lesson. I'm also asked to give the opening prayer. But "Houston we have another problem". There appears to be a problem with laptop and/or projector. I troubleshoot that and it's now working. However, it doesn't quite fit on the white screen so I'm back adjusting the screen. Get it adjusted just in time to give the opening prayer. After the prayer, I go back to my "saved" seats but someone has moved my scriptures and suit jacket onto the floor (WTF!) and my seats are taken. So after claiming my suit jacket and scriptures, I'm headed back to the far corner of the room to sit when in walks the significant other. "I thought you were going to get us good seats!" She decides to skip and invites me to join her. But wait, I've got an important Wilford Woodruff quote to read - one that's vital to the lesson! I can't skip. The lesson is about missionary work. Time is turned over to the WML whose appearence resembles The Big Lebowski (not the Dude - the other Lebowski in the wheelchair) and he goes on-and-on about how we need to support the new sister missionaries. I swear I heard the guy say "Their lives are in your hands" more than once. By the time he's done, I can tell this GD lesson is shot and the instructor is somewhat flustered. She reiterates the importance of missionary work and asks me to read the important WW quote. It's a rant about him having to walk hundreds of miles across southern swamps - not sure what that has to do with missionaries in present day Texas. But she wants to get to the video that I worked so furiously to get working correctly. But wait! An elderly couple that recently returned from serving a mission in Tennessee has connected the dots between their mission and WW who proceeded them by 180 years. Evidently, things have not changed that much in Tennessee. It seems the swamps have been drained and cars have been invented but still very few members. Now there's less than 10 minutes left. I'm hoping in vain for the video. Not-gonna-happen. Some apparently random scriptures are read from the D&C and, finally, closing prayer.

And that's what happens when you $%&^ a stranger in the @#&. Or that's why videos shouldn't be used. Ever.
[RANT MODE OFF]

[Jeff Lebowski]

[RANT MODE ON]
Because one might be in a ward building that never gets the latest equipment; all that good stuff goes to the stake center. So I'm requested to go to GD class ASAP by the significant other to reserve "good seats" while she makes the rounds to get all the latest ward gossip. Since I'm one of the first ones to enter into the classroom, a panicked GD teacher enlists my help to get the arcane equipment working. So I set up the circa 1950 white screen that seems identical to the one my parents used to show family vacation slides. Once that is set up, I'm handed a sheet of paper containing a Wilford Woodruff quote that I'm asked to read as it is a "key part" of the lesson. I'm also asked to give the opening prayer. But "Houston we have another problem". There appears to be a problem with laptop and/or projector. I troubleshoot that and it's now working. However, it doesn't quite fit on the white screen so I'm back adjusting the screen. Get it adjusted just in time to give the opening prayer. After the prayer, I go back to my "saved" seats but someone has moved my scriptures and suit jacket onto the floor (WTF!) and my seats are taken. So after claiming my suit jacket and scriptures, I'm headed back to the far corner of the room to sit when in walks the significant other. "I thought you were going to get us good seats!" She decides to skip and invites me to join her. But wait, I've got an important Wilford Woodruff quote to read - one that's vital to the lesson! I can't skip. The lesson is about missionary work. Time is turned over to the WML whose appearence resembles The Big Lebowski (not the Dude - the other Lebowski in the wheelchair) and he goes on-and-on about how we need to support the new sister missionaries. I swear I heard the guy say "Their lives are in your hands" more than once. By the time he's done, I can tell this GD lesson is shot and the instructor is somewhat flustered. She reiterates the importance of missionary work and asks me to read the important WW quote. It's a rant about him having to walk hundreds of miles across southern swamps - not sure what that has to do with missionaries in present day Texas. But she wants to get to the video that I worked so furiously to get working correctly. But wait! An elderly couple that recently returned from serving a mission in Tennessee has connected the dots between their mission and WW who proceeded them by 180 years. Evidently, things have not changed that much in Tennessee. It seems the swamps have been drained and cars have been invented but still very few members. Now there's less than 10 minutes left. I'm hoping in vain for the video. Not-gonna-happen. Some apparently random scriptures are read from the D&C and, finally, closing prayer.

And that's what happens when you $%&^ a stranger in the @#&. Or that's why videos shouldn't be used. Ever.
[RANT MODE OFF]