Instructor Training Course

[arajca]

Going through the pamphlete for the Professional Development Officer, I came across this in the Master rating section:

Planning, coordinating, and implementing the Instructor Training Course. The Instructor Training Course is a 1-day (8-
hour) course prefixed with a self-study manual. Members may obtain the student and instructor materials from the HQ CAP/
MSA by using a CAPF 8, Requisition for Publications and Blank Forms. Students for this course will need 4-6 weeks to
complete the self-study portion of this course.

Has anyone seen or conducted one of these? I am planning to requisition the materials once Eservices comes back up.

[SarDragon]

I reaffiliated with a unit in 1999. I don't recall having seen anything like that back then. The date of CAPP 204 is 1997, so I'm guessing the course, if there ever was one, went away fairly quickly. The oldest 0-2 and 0-9 I have here are from 2002, and they mention nothing about a course like that.

[Ricochet13]

Have not run across this program in my brief time in CAP.  I know CAP-NHQ was looking into an Instructor Training Course - ITC, which was a modification of something USAF was doing, but have not heard anything recently about the progress of that program.  The only thing I am aware of was a Train-the-Trainer - TTT program, but have never seen it used in CAP and believe it was discontinued before I joined.

[CAP_truth]

National Headquarters has discontinued the Instructor program for master rating in professional development Last year there was a beta program called Civil Air Patrol Instructor's Course CAPIC. The course was modeled after the Air Force's Academic Instructor Course. But, recently it does not appear on CAP.gov.

[mmouw]

The course is still on the AFIDAL site and can be taken. I started it last year and it moved to the Air University site. I had to start over with the transition. I haven't finished it yet, but if it is not going to count for anything, why bother.

[SarDragon]

An instructor course without practical application to go along with it is almost useless. You can read all you want from a book and memorize it cold, but unless you can effectively apply it, you have wasted your time.

Why do you think teachers have to do student teaching? They get evaluated on how well they can do the job, and if they don't meet standards, they don't get the credential.

[Capt Rivera]

National Headquarters has discontinued the Instructor program for master rating in professional development Last year there was a beta program called Civil Air Patrol Instructor's Course CAPIC. The course was modeled after the Air Force's Academic Instructor Course. But, recently it does not appear on CAP.gov.

is there a change letter or something else official confirming this statement?

[SarDragon]

An instructor course without practical application to go along with it is almost useless. You can read all you want from a book and memorize it cold, but unless you can effectively apply it, you have wasted your time.

Why do you think teachers have to do student teaching? They get evaluated on how well they can do the job, and if they don't meet standards, they don't get the credential.

I absolutely agree. I went to the Navy equivalent of the AF course, and it was the hardest course (4 weeks) I attended. Harder, even, than the 6 month electronics course I attended right out of boot camp. My class lost @ 15% in drops.

USNR has a condensed 2 day course that I sent up the PD pipe about a year ago that would work well for CAP. Haven't heard anything back on it.

[arajca]

I have not seen anything. I have seen a FEMA course called "Intructional Techniques for Subject Metter Experts".  I am trying to get a copy of the materials. FEMA says to ask the State, but so far, I haven't gotten a response from the state.

[arajca]

USNR has a condensed 2 day course that I sent up the PD pipe about a year ago that would work well for CAP. Haven't heard anything back on it.

Any chance you could send me a copy of the materials?

[SarDragon]

Not right now. It was provided specifically to send up the pipe, and there are a couple of aspects that preclude its use in the current format.

[Capt Rivera]

Someone here has had to have gotten Master rating since April 1997. How did you do it? [If you don't feel comfortable telling us, does that mean you didn't really meet the requirement?]

That was some requirement to stamp on there. I bet the people who wrote it didn't have to do it... Funny how NHQ didn't get their course off the ground, how can they expect Joe Blow volunteer to do things that they can't as well as other paid professionals can't seem to do. [Sounds like a question for the knowledgebase, I'll let you know what I find out.] Until then, I'm hoping anyone who has achieved Master since April of 97 might share how they were able to do this.

Who was the Group LVL guy on here looking over peoples PD to make sure it was legit? He should take a look at his masters of PD

[swamprat86]

It looks like that this is a suggestion as part of the objectives.  The checklist doesn't specifically mention this as a requirement but further down when it gives more detail on the list items it mentions this, possibly as a method of gaining experience in the track.  So IMHO, it is (was) a suggestion, not a requirement.

[Capt Rivera]

at the top of that checklist it says:

To complete the master rating of the senior program track, the member must:

Must =  requirement, NOT a suggestion....

EDIT: Had the KB ref # but it doesn't seem like you can do anything with it. O well, I'll post the answer ID or quote it, when it comes...

[swamprat86]

I see where it is listed in the second checklist but it is not listed in the first.  Both state that these lists must be done.  Sounds like an inconsistancy that wasn't corrected.  If the course isn't offered, it shouldn't be mandated.  If you have completed everything else, I would send it up and contest it if it comes back.  I would also work this up the chain so that this can be clarified or corrected.

[jimmydeanno]

I thought I noted this in another thread but...

I completed my PD Master Rating earlier this year.  To fulfill the requirement for the Instructor Course, I directed TLC (Training Leaders of Cadets).  It is probably the closest thing that CAP has to any sort of "Instructor Training."

PD Shop at NHQ said it was an acceptable substitution. 

[Phil Hirons, Jr.]

I got my PD Master earlier this year as well. I called Jen Carroll at NHQ about the Instructor Course and was told since it did not exist it was not required.

[Capt Rivera]

I thought I noted this in another thread but...

I completed my PD Master Rating earlier this year.  To fulfill the requirement for the Instructor Course, I directed TLC (Training Leaders of Cadets).  It is probably the closest thing that CAP has to any sort of "Instructor Training."

PD Shop at NHQ said it was an acceptable substitution. 

Really? I guess I don't see TLC as an Instructor Training Course. I sat through it, It did not teach me how to teach or train anyone in anything... Didn't even cover "the art of making a presentation" which is a fundamental part of any Instructor training Course (ITC).

To be honest, the one I went to..., I hope did not really meet requirements as all i got out of it was all the reasons why the cadet program is great....It was a waste of my time. I wanted to learn more about running/leading the cadet program, not being sold on why the cadet program was a good thing. [Anyone going to TLC probably knows that] - Complete waste of time... Someday Ill look over the instructors training materials in hopes of learning something.... but ... not today... For now, I have a check box marked, a sheet of paper, and nothing else for my time....

Just for the record, I don't think directing SLS, CLC or UCC would meet the intended requirement of a ITC either. I've been to and taught at military courses that could be considered ITCs... The basic one lasted 2 days and the full course lasted 10 days, maybe more. I think I have a decent understanding...

[Capt Rivera]

I'll hold my thoughts on the below until later. I'm gonna go work on something but I would love to know what you guys think of the below and the previous statements on this board...

Customer (Joshua Rivera) - 09/23/2008 08:07 AM
The Master Level criteria checklist in CAPP 204 dated 15 Apr 1997 states that you must:
Plan, coordinate and implement an Instructor Training Course (ITC).

I've been told this requirement was lifted as the NHQ ITC didn't even pan out. I can find no written guidance on the removal of this requirement. I also can't find any guidance on what would meet this requirement.

Please advice me as to if this requirement exists and what you actually want for it. It would be helpful to know what ANYONE who has completed a the Master Level in Professional Development did to meet that requirement. I imagine at least one person has "earned" it since 15 Apr 1997. Thank you

Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (KB Manager) - 09/23/2008 09:13 AM
The referenced self-study manual is not available but members may complete the master rating requirement by planning, coordinating, and implementing an Instructor Training Course in the unit or wing. This might be a course to prepare instructors for an SLS or other types of training that takes place in the squadron. You may bring in members with backgrounds in professional education to help conduct the course. The course must take place in order to achieve this requirement for the master rating. Unit commanders certify that individuals have satisfactorally completed this requirement for the master rating. Future plans call for an online instructor course to replace the referenced self-study manual.  The online course will be integrated into CAPP 204 when a new version is published.

See sections below from CAPP 204  SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER TRAINING GUIDE  MASTER RATING

Plan a training course or activity to fit a local need. In order to check this box, the training activity must take place.

Plan, coordinate, and implement an Instructor Training Course. You may bring in members with backgrounds in professional education to help conduct the course. However, the course must take place in order to achieve this requirement for the master rating.

Planning, coordinating, and implementing the Instructor Training Course. The Instructor Training Course is a 1-day (8-hour) course prefixed with a self-study manual. Members may obtain the student and instructor materials from the HQ CAP/MSA by using a CAPF 8, Requisition for Publications and Blank Forms. Students for this course will need 4-6 weeks to complete the self-study portion of this course.

Please see knowledgebase answer(s) below for additional details.

Title: CAP Professional Development Specialty Training Program
URL: http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=230&p_created=1012337874

[Capt Rivera]

hmm... I'll just let this go... When the time comes, Ill submit and see what happens. If it gets rejected Ill ask fir guidance and examples... 

[DNall]

So now you have to make up your own course to deliver locally or within the wing to prep instructors for SLS/CLC/TLC? Okay, I can see the value in such a course, but that answer is passing the buck big-time on their inability to field the course or get the CAPP altered accordingly. That's real weak.

Regarding TLC... we do it differently in TXWG. It's condensed to a small part of a much larger CP officer basic course (called Sr Trng & Ed Pgm) conducted over a two-day period. That course does a pretty good job, but "instructor" is not really one of the design objectives. We could probably make a couple adjustments & improvements that would fix that if we added that to the goals of our course.

[jimmydeanno]

I think you might have a hard time getting answers from the PD shop right now.  There isn't anyone working there...literally.

[arajca]

There is someone there now.

Greetings-

No, CAP doesn't have a curriculum for an Instructor Training Course at this time.  With that said, you may be able to ask teachers who are members or members who are trainers in their outside job to help you put a curriculum together for a 1 day course. As the new kid on the block, it's on my list.

Sincerely,

Bobbie-Jean Tourville
BOBBIE-JEAN TOURVILLE
Chief, Professional Development
phone: 877.227.9142 ext. 405  fax: 334-953-6891
bjtourville@capnhq.gov (effective 1 Sept)

Since National seems fixated on the one-day ITC, I am looking at a realistic program which includes a practical portion. Course length: 2 days plus a precourse assignment est 3 hours.

Additionally, I'm attaching my ideas for an Instructor track (which cadets can earn the Instructor rating, not merely the badge).

[swamprat86]

In 97-98 I took the Army Battlefield Instructor Training Course.  I wonder if I can use this as a substitution, not that I am going for a rating in PD but I might in the future.

[MSgt Van]

I wonder if they'd count any of my active duty instructor experience;
Air Force Technical Instructor course
Instructional Systems Designer course
Instructor Supervisor course
etc, etc.

*never mind*  I see the note about CAP not having an instructor rating in a previous post...

[arajca]

Latest from national...

After doing a little more research, I found that my predecessor allowed
the Instructor Course requirement to be waived because no standardized
course was adopted by CAP. This may help your people to get to Master a
little faster.

That said, I'm still interested in any instructor course you can put
together, because I do think it's a hole in our education and training
process.

Sincerely,


Bobbie-Jean Tourville
BOBBIE-JEAN TOURVILLE
Chief, Professional Development
phone: 877.227.9142 ext. 405  fax: 334-953-6891
bjtourville@capnhq.gov (effective 1 Sept)

I'd call this a fairly authoritative source.

edit - ffs strikes again

[EMT-83]

I would think that there are a good number of military, police, fire, EMS, etc. instructors out there that have the training and experience that exceed what could be presented in a one or two day ITC. Why not build equivalencies into the PD Master Rating? My fire service instructor certification class was 56 hours. I can't imagine condensing adult learning, methods of instruction, presenting lesson plans, evaluation, etc. into 8 hours.

[MSgt Van]

I'd think an 8-hour course wouldn't be much more than an intro to public speaking.

[arajca]

I would think that there are a good number of military, police, fire, EMS, etc. instructors out there that have the training and experience that exceed what could be presented in a one or two day ITC. Why not build equivalencies into the PD Master Rating? My fire service instructor certification class was 56 hours. I can't imagine condensing adult learning, methods of instruction, presenting lesson plans, evaluation, etc. into 8 hours.

The master PD rating doesn't say complete, it says Plan, coordinate, and implement. I have taken several instructional techniques and TTT courses (incl. ICS and CAPIP), but I haven't conducted one.

[EMT-83]

Poor editing on my part. I was thinking that if an experienced instructor has put similar programs together before, why not allow the equivalence? Also, there is a real need for an ITC, but 8 hours just isn't enough.

An Instructor Specialty Track is probably a good idea, might might be overkill for someone who will only instruct occasionally. Somewhere there needs to be a balance, an ITC of appropriate quality to teach the skills necessary to teach.

[SarDragon]

The Naval Air Reserve has a two day (16 hr) Instructor Training Course that just barely covers the knowledge material needed to become an instructor. I provided a copy of it to my wing PD folks so they could run it up the chain, but have heard nothing since.

As for an Instructor Training track, I would think the goal there would be Instructor Trainers. That's where we need the expertise the most.

[BillB]

And where would a State Teaching Certification fit in? As a certified teacher, would show several years of instructor training.

[arajca]

The Naval Air Reserve has a two day (16 hr) Instructor Training Course that just barely covers the knowledge material needed to become an instructor. I provided a copy of it to my wing PD folks so they could run it up the chain, but have heard nothing since.

I am using a estimate of 10 students per class. Practical portion would be 30 min per student demonstrating, 10 min critique, 5 min change over. That covers one full day, including a lunch break.

As for an Instructor Training track, I would think the goal there would be Instructor Trainers. That's where we need the expertise the most.

The ultimate goal is to have good-great instructors using well-developed standardized instructor-independent lesson plans. Part of the Senior Instructor rating is to train and evaluate Instructors.

As for the many options of instructor training available outside CAP, keep in mind this is only a draft and is only my thoughts about it. I can add an equivalency table as needed.

[swamprat86]

I still have all my materials from my Army BFITC.  The nice thing about this instructor course is that it is compatible with our ES training.  It explains how to take a task and teach it in a field environment.  The skill are also transferable to a classroom environment as well.

Let me find it and scan it to my computer.  Then I can send you a copy.

[arajca]

Thank you.

[tarheel gumby]

I also found the Red Cross Instructor Candidate training to be very good, at least how we did it when I went through it in 1993. It was four days and included practical skills for the instructor candidate.

[SarDragon]

The Naval Air Reserve has a two day (16 hr) Instructor Training Course that just barely covers the knowledge material needed to become an instructor. I provided a copy of it to my wing PD folks so they could run it up the chain, but have heard nothing since.

I am using a estimate of 10 students per class. Practical portion would be 30 min per student demonstrating, 10 min critique, 5 min change over. That covers one full day, including a lunch break.

Thirty minutes is way too long. The longest eval period I had in my four week school was twenty minutes, and that was the final exam. Most eval periods were ten or fifteen minutes, and the one eval period in the USNR course is only ten minutes.

As for an Instructor Training track, I would think the goal there would be Instructor Trainers. That's where we need the expertise the most.

The ultimate goal is to have good-great instructors using well-developed standardized instructor-independent lesson plans. Part of the Senior Instructor rating is to train and evaluate Instructors.

As for the many options of instructor training available outside CAP, keep in mind this is only a draft and is only my thoughts about it. I can add an equivalency table as needed.

Sadly, one of the big problems CAP has is the lack of well-developed standardized instructor-independent lesson plans. It's getting better, but, IMHO, even some of the newest stuff has a long way to go.

[tarheel gumby]

Sadly, one of the big problems CAP has is the lack of well-developed standardized instructor-independent lesson plans. It's getting better, but, IMHO, even some of the newest stuff has a long way to go.
[/quote]

I quite agree.

[arajca]

Sadly, one of the big problems CAP has is the lack of well-developed standardized instructor-independent lesson plans. It's getting better, but, IMHO, even some of the newest stuff has a long way to go.

One requirement is for the Senior level to develop lesson plans for 1-hr long classes. The master rating develops a 2-day course. Also, development of a centralized repository of these lesson plans is listed as an additional need. The idea is for CAP instructors to be able to download a complete lesson plan (IG, SM, visuals, handouts) print off as needed and go.

[SarDragon]

OK, now the hard question - where is a volunteer, with a full time job, going to find the time to do this?

I'm not trying to be a defeatist here, but just pointing out the practicalities.

A couple of other points:

1. Most members do not have the entire box full of talent to develop the entire package you imagine (IG, SM, visuals, handouts). I worked in the business for about 13 years, and each course that went out the door had a minimum of four people involved - a Subject Matter Expert (SME), a graphic artist, an Instructional Systems Developer (ISD), and a QA person. It's great if your SME can do graphics, and the ISD can do the QA, but that's spreading things really thin.

2. IIRC, the last two day course I worked on took four months and over 300 man-days to complete. That was a full-time effort for most of the players.

YMMV.