To Be a Computer Instructor

Written by: John Gianopoulos

I’ve been a Computer Instructor in the DC are for over 15 years. We are a strange breed. Each day we instructors stand in front of a room of strangers and display our personal histories, experiences, and mistakes to everyone so they can better understand a topic. You might think, “So what. What’s the big deal?” A survey asked the question “What’s your number one fear?” Most people replied, “Speaking in front of strangers.” The second most popular answer was “Death.” People would rather die than face what we do each working day. If that doesn’t tell you we’re weird, nothing will.

Many instructors have different teaching styles. Most use some humor to alleviate participant’s tension while other instructors have a drier, more serious style. Humor can be a powerful but dangerous instruction tool. Participants are nervous and stressed entering a class for several reasons:

1. They are admitting they don’t know something.
2. They are admitting someone knows more than they do.
3. Their job is on the line.

And the big one…

1. They may have to speak in front of others in the class!

I use more humor than some, so I try to pick safe targets; namely myself. I dislike others laughing at me as much as anyone else, but I revel when others laugh with me. This tells me they’re relaxed and comfortable in my presence and that I can do my job. I am not a serious person and my students learn that early in my introduction: “I’m originally from New York City, so I apologize if at all necessary.” I usually get chuckles from the participants. Occasionally someone asks, “Why do you need to apologize?”, and I reply with a smile, “New Yorkers have the reputation of being rude, arrogant, and obnoxious. In my case two out of three’s not bad, so you all can take your pick.” I do recall one instance a fellow New Yorker shouted out “You’ve got nuttin to apologize for! They don’t like it, tough!” Sometimes the humor finds you.

• Tweet
• 0
• Comments (2)