and, as always, I have doubts. Have I done enough preparation?
Teaching adults is so very different from teaching children.
The language I would use for children is entirely different from the language I will use for today's adults. The exercises I give adults are entirely different from the exercises I give children. I will make certain assumptions about adults that I would not make about children, especially very young children.
Today I will assume that the adults I want to teach want to learn, that they want to be there. I will assume they know the difference between "left" and "right", "over and under", "first" and "second". I will assume adults have the physical skills to manipulate materials and that if I suggest someone turns something "upside down" or "sideways" then they will do just that without me having to show them.
I also know that they may know more than I do about certain things and that this should give them their own ideas. It is entirely possible I may need to encourage them to try those ideas - but that is what I am there for. I am not there to dictate the way I might dictate to a child - although, if I am a good teacher, I should not need to dictate to the child either.
But, I have not taught this material before. I wonder how much I will have to try and demonstrate as well as explain. There is a technique that the students may be able to master today. If they can their work will flow. If they can't then the alternative, the one I had to master, will also let them do the job at hand.
And, above all, I want today to be both a learning experience and enjoyable. This is about a craft that is also an art form.
The Book of Kells is more than a thousand years old. There is Celtic art work far older than that. It is still an inspiration today.
Celtic Knotwork fascinates me in a way I never expected geometry to fascinate me.
I want it to fascinate the students too.
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3 comments:
I am planning on making a Durrow shawl. (Ravelry). The outside edge is squares of celtic knots flowing from one square to another. It was to have been my winter project and I have wool from COnvent and Chapel at Rylstone. Lovely people and so helpful. It will still be winter project but I am very unexpectedly moving so will not start it till I am settled again. I am not using the Malabrigo but we have a lovely colour schemm arranged.
I know that pattern Jan. It is lovely -hope you find time to make it as well as move. The very thought of moving makes me shudder. We need to be rid of more things here!
I appreciate this take on teaching adults, thanks.
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