Should a firearms instructor shoot in front of students?

[rbrtweber85]

I do always because it shows the class I know what I'm talking about. Also when I get called as an expert witness in court its always one of the questions ask. Did you properly demonstrate.

 

[Chemist]

As an educator I'd have to say that this can only be decided on a class by class and student by student basis. Every student learns in a unique way, some can read it and then do it while others may need to see it to do it and yet some will need to be guided while doing it.

1. Can you do the thing you want them to do?
If yes, then maybe.

2. Can you demonstrate the skill without actually doing it?
If yes, then maybe.

3. Can your student(s) LEARN THE SKILL without you doing a live demo with live ammo?
If NOT, then you must ultimately do what is BEST FOR THE STUDENT and put your ego away.

REAL learning is student centered, not driven by the ego or dictated by some administrative pencil pusher. It might make some folks upset but as an educator you are ultimately judged by the students you produce.

*In every mistake there is both the opportunity to teach and learn.

 

[sidheshooter]

Also when I get called as an expert witness in court its always one of the questions ask. Did you properly demonstrate.

Very interesting. That puts another spin on the original question.

 

[David E]

1. Can you do the thing you want them to do?
If yes, then maybe.

If "no," then why did you take money to teach them that thing you cannot do?

you must ultimately do what is BEST FOR THE STUDENT and put your ego away. REAL learning is student centered, not driven by the ego

I don't understand the constant reference to ego when it comes to simply demonstrating a technique for the student. I made it quite clear in the OP when I said:

I'm not talking about egos between a hot-shot student and the instructor demanding a one upsmanship drama, or having the instructor "show off" for his students by presenting a dazzling display of exhibition shooting.

Yet people somewhow think that the mere act of demonstrating a technique is somehow ego-driven.

 

[Welding Rod]

Demonstrating has many purposes.

One of those is to provide a motivating example to those who think they are already good of how much they still have to learn.

A teacher needs to be able to stretch the whole class, not just the novices and the inept.

 

[Chemist]

David E, I in no way stated that your ego had anything to do with your teaching style. I don't know you and can't/wouldn't make judgements. Messing up is all part of the learning cycle, but some teachers don't want to allow themselves to be seen messing up.

FWIW, you'd be surprised how many educators/instructors/speakers have MASSIVE egos. I'm sure you have met one or two by now. For those types they can't afford to "fail" in front of customers, financially or emotionally.

I never in all my years of education courses was told that you actually need to be able to do what you teach, you just need the ability to teach and you can teach anything...which I find a total load of crap. Thus, 1.

 

[David E]

David E, I in no way stated that your ego had anything to do with your teaching style. I don't know you and can't/wouldn't make judgements. Messing up is all part of the learning cycle, but some teachers don't want to allow themselves to be seen messing up.

I didn't think you were singling ME out, but I was puzzled why you (and several others) keep mentioning ego when I specifically took it out of the equation in the OP

FWIW, you'd be surprised how many educators/instructors/speakers have MASSIVE egos. I'm sure you have met one or two by now. For those types they can't afford to "fail" in front of customers, financially or emotionally.

For the most part, no. I've taken classes from John Farnam, Massad Ayoob, Bob Houzenga, Andy Kemp, Jim Cirillo and several others. Every single one of them shot in front of the students.

The worst "instructors" I've ever encountered were in Colorado at the CLEET academy years ago. Gibson and some other fat loser had massive egos and actively sabotaged the shooters they were entrusted to teach. I was pleased to have had a role in getting that crap stopped.