Difference between revisions of "User:Marek Holmberg/TeachingAClass"

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{{See also|Teaching Department}}
 
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{{eunispecific}}
 
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The following guide is not intended as a comprehensive guide on how to teach classes. There is no one absolutely correct way and in time everyone develops their own style. The aim of the guide is to help a new teacher prepare for their first classes and also to pass on some hints and tips for running classes successfully.
 
  
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For those who like executive summaries, we can summarise this approach as:
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[[File:teachinglogo.png||250px|right]]
  
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* Scedule your class on forums&calendar
 
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* Prepare for what you want to cover
 
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* Prepare for what you might need to cover
 
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* Make the class your own
 
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* Keep control of the class while giving it
 
  
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==Becoming a Teacher in the first place==
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Teaching is the main function of EVE University, which is why our Teachers and Guest Lecturers are some of our most important resources. Teaching at EVE University is a rewarding activity in many ways, not least because it gives you the opportunity to educate thousands of capsuleers as they begin their journey in New Eden.
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===EVE University members===
 
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'''Any member of EVE University is welcome to hold a class.'''
 
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That being said, there are some practical considerations:
 
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* unexperienced teachers should defenitely reach out to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] first.
 
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* You need the [[Sophomore]] title in order to post events on the ingame calendar. If you lack this requirement, please reach out to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] so they can help you with sceduling and because your possible lack of game experience could compromise the success of the class.
 
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* You need the role of Teacher in discord in order to be able to stream, yet another reason to reach out to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] first.
 
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* Unistas without the [[Sophomore]] status  should contact the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] first.
 
  
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===Out-of-Corp Guest-Lecturers===
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We are always looking for new volunteers willing to step up and teach what they have learned to a new generation of EVE pilots.
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* Guest-Lecturers are always welcome but should contact the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] before arranging any Class-like content.
 
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* For Fleet related content (e.g Guest-FCing), please contat the  [[FC_Team|FC Team]].
 
  
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==Choosing a Class/Topic==
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{{Color box|color=#144f1d|border=#2f8f2f|width=50%|<center>'''Golden Rule'''</center>
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===CORE Classes===
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<center>If in doubt, reach out to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] via [[Discord]] (channel #teaching-general or PMs). We are always happy to help!</center>}}
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In order to make teaching as accessable as possible and provide Students with the proper basic knowledge to find their way in New Eden, the [[Teaching_Department|Teaching Department]] offers a [[Classes|library of ready-to-teach CORE classes]]. Most new teachers are well advised to start their teaching career with one of those.
 
  
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===Other Classes===
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== Becoming a Teacher in EVE University ==
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Diversity is the spice of life, which is why we encourage experienced and/or specialised teachers to develop and hold their own classes. To insure a certain amount of quality control, there are a few extra steps to consider though:
 
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* Don't let ''perfect'' be the enemy of ''good''. A decent class that get held and then improved upon is better than a perfect class that never actually happens.
 
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* We ask that you submit your class slides and/or practical instructions to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] at least one week ahead of your class.
 
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* Make sure you're willing and able to react to contructive feedback and adjust your preparation accordingly.
 
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== Scheduling your class ==
 
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===Forum Announcement===
 
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Please use the following BBCode when announcing your class on our [http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewforum.php?f=72 Scheduled Classes Forum]
 
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{{CollapseBox|Forum Template|<pre>[img]link to suitable image to illustrate class[/img]
 
  
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Short description of what this class is. Maybe who it's intended for, how it improves your game, etc. Feel free to pull from historical class announcements for the same class.
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While most of our Teachers are current members of EVE University, it is not a requirement and we often have Guest Lecturers holding classes, workshops, and talks. Some of them even put an Alt-Character into the University to continue their teaching on a semi-regular basis.
  
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[color=#00FFFF]When:[/color] Thursday 12th january, 20:00 EVE Time
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=== Why you should teach for EVE University? ===
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[color=#00FFFF]Where:[/color] Mumble and Class (EVE Uni)
 
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[color=#00FFFF]Duration:[/color] 1 hour
 
  
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[color=#00FFFF]Topics Covered:[/color]
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* Give back to the community, share your knowledge with the next generation of capsuleers, and provide content for yourself and others.
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[list][*]list points
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* Learn by teaching your chosen topic. Advance your own understanding of the subject matter and hone your RL skills of presenting and public speaking.
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[*]some more list points
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* As a member of EVE University, you can earn credit towards the [[Medals|Educator Medal]], the [[Cross_Campus_Initiative|Cross Campus Initiative]], and [[Titles|Progression Titles]] like Sophomore and Graduate.
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[*]even more list points
 
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[*]add more list points with the [ * ] prefix
 
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[*]Q&A[/list]
 
  
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[color=#00FFFF]Student requirements:[/color]
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=== What we expect of our Teachers? ===
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[list][*]Public Mumble registration and access - make sure you have Mumble sorted out and operational well before the class begins. Use this guide for set-up: [url]http://eveuni.org/publicmumble[/url]
 
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[*]Access to the Class (EVE Uni) in-game chat channel
 
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[*]If students need specific ships, or need to be in a specific place, here would be where you say that.[/list]
 
  
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Additional information: This class is primarily lecture, delivered in public Mumble and the Class (EVE Uni) channel, followed by Q&A. There is no practical component.</pre>}}
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* They must have a working knowledge of the subject area(s) they wish to teach and be able to effectively communicate that knowledge; complete mastery is not required.
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* They are expected to comply with the standards outlined in this article.
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* They are expected to act appropriately as a member/guest of the University and set a positive example to students. [[EVE University Rules|EVE University’s general rules and guidelines]] must be adhered to.
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* They are highly encouraged to continue growing as educators, be it through self observation, contructive feedback from students, or mentoring by the Teaching Staff.
  
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===Ingame Calendar===
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=== What is required to teach classes? ===
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Create a class announcement on the ingame EVE Uni calendar (provided you hold the [[Sophomore]] title, if not, see above) make sure to:
 
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* include [CORE], [Class], [Practical] or [Q&A] as a title prefix, followed by the name/topic of the class.
 
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* set the availability to "Corp" or "Alliance" (prefered), the default is private which will mean noone apart from yourself is gonna see the event on their calendar.
 
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* set a realistic duration which leaves time for questions in the end.
 
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* ensure that your class is not colliding with other classes. It's generally a good idea to leave at least 15-30 minutes inbetween classes so students can take a break and to avoid any overlaps.
 
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* include a short outline of the class and a forum link in the Description
 
  
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===Discord Pings===
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* Timely and correct scheduling (see below)
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* Class relevant content (slides, instructions for a practicals/workshops)
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* Ingame assets for practicals like BPCs, Ships, etc. (Reach out to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] if that becomes costly/logistically complex)
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* Access to our public [[Mumble]] and (open) [[Discord]]
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* Contact the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] for Discord rights and any help you might need to make your class happen.
  
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== Preparation for a class ==  
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=== What support does the Teaching Department provide? ===
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So, you want to give a class? Good for you - EVE University relies on people giving up their time to share knowledge on subjects that they understand to new players. So, best be prepared for it, right?
 
  
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One can't emphasise enough the importance of having class notes prepared in advance and having a clear idea of:
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* A library of ready-to-teach [[Classes|CORE Classes]]
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* what you are covering; and
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* Assistance in creating your own non-CORE classes or practicals, just contact a [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Officer]] via Discord and they will be happy to assist you.
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* what order you are covering it in; plus
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** Please note that non-Core classes '''must''' be checked and approved by an Teaching Officer at least '''one week in advance''' of the class
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* what you might need to cover depending on questions that get asked.
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* Mentoring by our [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Officers]] (optional)
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* Teaching assistance during your class, e.g. posting links, providing an ingame target to shoot/scan down, etc. Just approach any member of the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] if that sounds beneficial to you.
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** Please note that the presence of a Teaching Officer is '''mandatory for any Guest-Lectures'''
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* Ingame resources for practicals, because we see no reason for you to also pay ISK on top of your teaching efforts. Just get in contact with us and we'll try to figure something out
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* Class Feedback, gathered by students filling out the [http://www.eveuni.org/classfeedback Class Feedback Form] at the end of your lecture
  
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EVE University used to maintain a [[:Category:Syllabi|Syllabus Library]] for classes. While this is no longer required, the historical library can be a good starting point for this. With any luck, you'll find a pre-prepared class syllabus that you can crib from. These are a great resource, so use them. They'll help to jog your own memory of what needs to be covered and also helps classes taught to have a more uniform feel to them.  Bear in mind that these have fallen into disuse, so you may find outdated information. Always check with current game mechanics for any question information you find.
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==Choosing a Class/Topic==
  
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=== Class notes ===
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===CORE Classes===
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Have you ever tried presenting someone elses work? It is always harder to give a presentation that you didn't write yourself. Preparing a presentation, or even simply reordering the points in a way that makes the most sense to you, leads to a presentation that flows better and feels more natural as you present it, and so it will feel more natural to your audience as they listen to it.
 
  
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So, even if you are starting off with a syllabus from the Library, go through the following steps. Expect to spend an hour of preparation for an hour-long class.
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In order to make teaching as accessible as possible and to provide students with the proper basic knowledge to find their way in New Eden, the [[Teaching_Department|Teaching Department]] offers a [[Classes|library of ready-to-teach CORE classes]]. Most new teachers are advised to start their teaching career with one of these.
  
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The best way to prepare for your class is to compose some class notes.
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===Other Classes===
  
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Class notes come in many forms. The level of detail in class notes will depend on your personal preference. At the least, they ought to contain:
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By their very nature CORE Classes do not cover all areas of interest and expertise in EVE Online, which is why we encourage experienced and/or specialised teachers to develop and hold their own classes. To ensure a certain amount of quality control, there are a few extra steps to consider though:
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* Major headings of the topics you want to cover
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* Don't let ''perfect'' be the enemy of ''good''. A decent class that gets held and then improved upon is better than a perfect class that never actually happens.
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* Sub-headings to remind you of the order you want to cover things
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* We offer a slide Template our corporate branding
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* Notes to remind you of the points you want to make
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* We ask that you submit your class slides and/or practical instructions to the [[Teaching_Department#Current_Staff|Teaching Department]] at least one week ahead of your class.
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* Make sure you're willing and able to react to contructive feedback and adjust your preparation accordingly.
  
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As an example, here is a section of possible notes for a class on research and production:
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=== Do I know enough to teach this class? ===
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<div style="margin:0;background-color:{{{color|#ccccee}}};border:1px solid {{{border|#8888aa}}};border-left-width:5px;font-style:italic;text-align:left;padding:1em 1em 1em 1em; overflow:hidden;color:{{{text|#000022}}}">
 
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'''''Research'''
 
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* Three things you can do to a BPO
 
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** material research
 
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** productivity research
 
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** copying
 
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** (Invention - covering later)
 
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* Material Research
 
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** reduces material need
 
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** wastage = unresearched wastage / (1+ML)
 
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** marginal return
 
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** there will be a level beyond which ML research is pointless
 
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** optimal research
 
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* Productivity research:
 
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** reduces production time
 
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** ...</div>
 
  
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Nothing earth shattering here, but it helps the instructor to remember to cover all the points and gives a logical sequence to do so. By preparing a few bullet point items to cover, you can still speak fluently without simply reading your notes.
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You do not have to be an expert of every area of Eve Online to teach classes. If you have a working knowledge of a specific topic that might be the right topic for you. You should be comfortable with most aspects of your chosen topic, be able to present them in a concise and understandable manner and be able to answer student questions.  
  
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Once you've written your class notes, you're almost ready for the class. You know what you want to cover, but students have an annoying habit of asking questions that don't quite fall within your neat class notes.
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{{CollapseBox|Example class: Introduction to Exploration|
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* Know the procedures: how does one go about ‘doing exploration’.
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* Know the ‘mechanical parts’: The process of scanning down Signatures and the Hacking Minigame
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* Know the ‘Meta’: Which ships work, which skills and modules are required.
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* Know tips and tricks: piloting tricks, safety rules, best practices, etiquettes, etc.
 +
* Have a brief story or two to share!  Provide some context to the students by sharing a complete failure moment or your favourite experience.}}
  
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=== Additional notes ===
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== Choosing how to present your class ==
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Depending on the class, there may be little need for additional information. However, most classes have related topics that you might not intend to cover, but that you might be asked about.  Think through these related topics, and prepare some short notes. It will help you to manage the class and deal with questions - and also make you look smart.
 
  
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For example, for a production and research class, one might not intend to cover POS use in great detail beyond using them for high sec research, but you could would prepare a separate page of class notes on all aspects of POSes. Clearly, there is no need to go into as much detail as you would have for your main topics, as an instructor always has the "that is beyond the scope of this class" option, but giving a general idea of a related topic, if you have time, can add real value to your class.
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Different options (or a combination) can be used for different types of classes:
  
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As another example, for a class on Caldari ships - basically a run-through of each type of vessel, you could prepare a set of notes on shield tanking (active and passive), railguns and missiles, plus drones and ECM. Nothing detailed, but if the question came up, you can then cover the main points.
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* Classic slide decks are a good way to present bundled up static information in a visual way.
 +
* Screen sharing your EVE in-game view offers a great way to demonstrate things in real-time and our Discord classroom is set up for this already.
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* Organising in-game practicals (if you require ships/materials for these the Teaching Department is more than happy to help you out and foot the bill!)
  
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=== Final preparations ===
 
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So, you now have:
 
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* Class notes, setting out the class as you want to give it
 
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* Supplementary notes to help deal with questions
 
  
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The final thing that you might consider doing is to prepare a Note in-game that lists all the websites and items that you might want to link during the course of the class - in the order you'll want to link them.
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To hold your class, we most commonly use:
 +
* [[Mumble|Mumble]] for voice communication.
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* [[Discord|Discord]] for screensharing/slide presentation and types questions.
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* [[EVE_University_Chat_Channels#Public_channels|Class (EVE Uni)]] ingame channel for ingame links sometimes also qustions
  
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== Giving the class ==
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Additional options include but are not limited to:
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Advertise the class at least a week in advance, if possible, to ensure that as many people as possible can arrange to attend - longer than that and they might forget. If you only give people a couple of days, you might find attendance to be on the low side.
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* Twitch Streaming
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* Youtube Videos
  
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Follow the procedure listed [[How_to_schedule_a_class|here]] for scheduling and promoting your class.  The [[Syllabus_Template|syllabus template]] includes a format for posting into the Scheduled Classes forum, or you can borrow one from a previously scheduled class there.
 
  
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For fleet-based classes, it is a great idea to advertise a 15-minute fleet sign-up period when advertising the class. For example: "Fleet will form from 19:45 to 20:00 and class will start promptly at 20:00 - latecomers will not be able to attend." (You might choose to be more lenient on the day, but no need to let people know that in advance!)
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Choose the right way to present for you and your topic. It is common to evolve your approach as you gain experience with the subject and a better understanding of how students perceive the content.
  
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On the day of your class, make sure that you have all your notes on hand, and log in ahead of time to prepare. You want to be there waiting for students to arrive and start on time. Remember, people are taking time out to listen to you - yes, it is a great service you are doing, but they might only have an hour and you owe it to them to keep your end of the bargain.
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== Scheduling your class ==
  
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The best classes (in EVE and in real life) are those that:
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* Try to schedule your class at least one week in advance, to give people a chance to hear about your class and make time in their schedule to attend.  If you are expecting support for ships/modules or other manufactured items this is a minimum requirement and not optional.
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* have a clear structure;
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* Check the UNI in-game calendar for available dates/times. Do NOT schedule a class at the same time as any other class or event.  Non-University lecturers can get assistance with this from a Teaching Officer.
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* are presented well;
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* Try to leave a buffer of 15-30 minutes in between different classes to ideally give Students a break and more importantly avoid any overlap in case one class runs into overtime.
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* deal efficiently with questions; and
 
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* maintain control of the class.
 
  
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=== Have a clear structure ===
 
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You'll have a very good idea of how you want the class to run. The best way to make sure this happens is to let your class know this in advance.
 
  
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EVE University classes are run on the Public Mumble Server (in one of the four Classrooms), and also use the in-game chat channel '''Class (EVE Uni)''' for posting links and questions.
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===Forum Announcement===
  
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From a professional education standpoint, the following method of teaching (lesson plan structure) has an incredibly high success rate for the students to retain the information you are teaching them. This structure can be summed up in the following three points:
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* Post an advert as a new topic in the [http://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewforum.php?f=72 Scheduled Classes Forum], using the standard format described below.  
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* Tell them what you are going to tell them (Introduction, and what you are going to talk about)
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* If you do not have access to this forum, please ask the [[Teaching_Department|Teaching Department]] to do this for you.
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* Tell them (Go through each item that you are wanting to cover)
 
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* Tell them what you've told them (Summarise what you've just told them and list each of the points you've just covered)
 
  
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At the start of the class, spend a few minutes telling people about the class. You might like to cover:
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{{CollapseBox|Forum Template|<pre>[img]link to suitable image to illustrate class[/img]
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* A brief overview of what you will be covering
 
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* How you intend to use the chat channel and Mumble
 
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* Whether you want a volunteer to link items for you as you talk about them
 
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* How you intend to deal with questions
 
  
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People want to be helpful, so use them in a controlled manner:
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Short description of what this class is. Maybe who it's intended for, how it improves your game, etc. Feel free to pull from historical class announcements for the same class.
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* You'll have people linking things you talk about in the class channel, but you can arrange a volunteer in advance to limit channel spam and also to make sure you don't ask things like, "Can someone link an Avatar blueprint, please?" and get 30 different links!
 
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* Likewise, making sure someone is recording will mean the inevitable "Is anyone recording this?" question is quickly answered.
 
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* If you are expecting people from outside the UNI to attend, you might arrange a Mumble administrator to keep an eye on General (EVE Uni) chat and drag any out-of-corp attendees into the Class (EVE Uni) channel.
 
  
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So, an introduction for a production and research class might look something like:
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[color=#00FFFF]When:[/color] Thursday 12th January, 20:00 EVE Time
 +
[color=#00FFFF]Where:[/color] Mumble and Class (EVE Uni)
 +
[color=#00FFFF]Duration:[/color] 1 hour
  
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<div style="margin:0;background-color:{{{color|#ccccee}}};border:1px solid {{{border|#8888aa}}};border-left-width:5px;font-style:italic;text-align:left;padding:1em 1em 1em 1em; overflow:hidden;color:{{{text|#000022}}}">
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[color=#00FFFF]Topics Covered:[/color]
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Hi, thanks for attending my class on research and production.
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[list][*]list points
 +
[*]some more list points
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[*]even more list points
 +
[*]add more list points with the [ * ] prefix
 +
[*]Q&A[/list]
  
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Before I start, can I check who is recording? Cool, Dierdra is, great. Also, can I ask someone to keep an eye on corp chat and pull in any pesky latecomers to the class channel? Thanks Cazzah.
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[color=#00FFFF]Student requirements:[/color]
 +
[list][*]Public Mumble registration and access - make sure you have Mumble sorted out and operational well before the class begins. Use this guide for set-up: [url]http://eveuni.org/publicmumble[/url]
 +
[*]Access to the Class (EVE Uni) in-game chat channel
 +
[*]If students need specific ships, or need to be in a specific place, here would be where you say that.[/list]
  
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OK, so I am going to be using Mumble to give the class. What I'd like to do is to use the in-game Class (EVE Uni) channel for any questions you might have as I go along and keep Mumble quiet. I will be watching the channel and if you ask a question I am going to cover in a few minutes then please don't think I am ignoring you, I will get to it. Also, if topics come up that might need some time to discuss, I've got 20 minutes at the end and we'll cover larger topics then.
+
Additional information: This class is primarily lecture, delivered in public Mumble and the Class (EVE Uni) channel, followed by Q&A. There is no practical component.</pre>}}
  
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For the class, I am going to run through research first, looking at a blueprint in detail and then covering the various research you can do on one and the skills involved. For those who know a little about research already, I intend to cover Invention in detail at the end. After covering the research side of things, I'll go into production, the skills involved and cover a little bit on how to get into production for profit. I'll finally cover invention, which is the production of tech 2 goods using invented tech 2 blueprints.
+
=== Ingame Calendar ===
 +
Create a class announcement on the ingame EVE Uni calendar (provided you hold the [[Sophomore]] title, if not, see above) make sure to:
 +
* include [CORE], [Class], [Practical] or [Q&A] as a title prefix, followed by the name/topic of the class.
 +
* set the availability to "Alliance" (preferred), the default is private which will mean no one apart from yourself is gonna see the event on their calendar. Do '''not''' tick the box ''Important''.
 +
* set a realistic duration which leaves time for questions in the end. We generally prefer classes to last around 60 minutes, but 45-90 minutes is well acceptable.
 +
* ensure that your class is not colliding with other classes. It's generally a good idea to leave at least 15-30 minutes in between classes so students can take a break and to avoid any overlaps.
 +
* include a short outline of the class and a forum link in the Description
  
−
One thing before I start - can I have a volunteer to link items and blueprints into the in-game channel for me please? Thanks Peter, you are slave for the day...</div>
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===Discord Pings===
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+
People often wonder how often to ping for their classes in the '#ping-class' discord channel, usually the answer is once or twice.
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=== Presentation tips ===
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# (optional) "@everyone x hour preparing for Intro to XYZ"
−
Everyone has their own style - some are chatty, and some are more formal - the following hints and tips ought to help you when setting out.
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# (mandatory) "@everyone Intro to XYZ starting now/in 5 minutes"
−
 
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Feel free to expand on those pings by providing the forum link or additional context to the class but keep it reasonably brief.
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; Always make clear when you are stating your own opinion, rather than facts. Recognise that other opinions may exist.
 
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: For example, "The Caracal is a great ship and I would normally passive tank it for missions, although you'll see people active tanking it as well. It comes down to personal preferences. For a passive tanked Caracal, you'd fit with..." is a lot better than "A Caracal should be passive tanked for missions. You need to fit...". The last thing you want is to have people arguing with you in the middle of a class - recognise up front that alternative opinions are valid, and then present your own.
 
−
 
 
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; Always be polite.
 
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: The moment you start raising your voice to someone, you've lost control. Keep polite and your class is on your side - if someone keeps misbehaving, eject them and carry on. Your class will thank you for dealing with the troublemaker, and you come across a lot more professional.
 
−
 
 
−
; Don't rush.
 
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: You'd be surprised how fast you run through material. It might seem to you like you are taking your time, but often you will be going through things more quickly than you think. Take time to explain things, slow down your delivery, and don't be afraid to pause for a second or two before answering a question. You'll sound and come across better for it.
 
−
 
 
−
: Don't worry too much about being recorded. You will probably be pleasantly surprised to hear later that you come across a lot more fluent and not as slow as you thought - and no one minds any nervous hesitations nearly as much as you do.  If the content is good, your audience will focus on that - if you can do it with a smooth delivery, so much the better, but it's not required for a good class.
 
−
 
 
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; Find out what your annoying habits are and cut them out.
 
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: Almost everyone, erm, says "erm", a lot, at first.  But with, erm, some practice, you'll, erm, say it less often. Which is, erm, good.
 
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; Don't get sidetracked.
 
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: Especially when questions come up, it is tempting to answer them right away. However, this might be a totally different part of the class than what you are currently talking about. It is much easier to follow for everyone if your story/explanation progresses logically, so do your best not to get sidetracked. If necessary, answer questions with "I'll cover this later on in the class".
 
−
 
 
−
; Practice makes perfect.
 
−
: Players will memorize the subject matter better if they are able to put the knowledge into practice. Therefore, adding a practical part to your class greatly enhances its effectiveness, as well as making it more entertaining for the students. This is, of course, not possible with all classes, but a Research & Production class, for example, can be greatly enhanced by handing out 1-run BPCs at the start of the class. Then, as the class progresses, the teacher talks the students through all the required steps to install, run and deliver their production job.  Consider adding a practical exercise or two to make your class more interactive and engaging.
 
−
 
 
−
=== Dealing with questions ===
 
−
Ask people to use the in-game Class (EVE Uni) chat channel for questions. It will give you more control over the class and allow you to deal with questions when you want to do so.
 
  
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* If you are going to defer a topic then let the class know.
+
== Preparing your class ==
−
* When answering a question from the in-game channel, repeat the question in Mumble before answering it. Recordings will make more sense and there might be people listening only on Mumble.
+
* Prepare your hardware (microphone etc.)
−
* If you have a lot of similar questions, then take a short bit of time out to consolidate them into a short topics - "A lot of people are asking questions relating to passive shield tanking so I'm going to take a bit of time out to cover that as a topic" - if appropriate.
+
* Prepare your software ([[Discord]], [[Mumble]] etc.)
−
* If someone asks a question that you are not sure how to answer, then don't answer definitively. You might think you know the answer, in which case let them know: "''Someone has asked how moon mining works - I know the rough details, but it is a bit beyond the scope of this course, so if it is OK with you, I'll leave that for a more detailed course on POSes''".
+
* Prepare your lesson content:
 +
** Prepare the slide deck and speaker notes if desired.
 +
** Prepare an agenda to be followed even if not using slides to stay on track.
 +
** Prepare the ships/materials for a potential practical and ensure they have been delivered as expected.
 +
** Prepare the environment.  Many practicals benefit from having established bookmarks to streamline activities.
 +
*Prepare yourself (have water on hand, etc.)
  
−
The important thing with questions is to deal with them when you want and to stay in control.
+
== Holding your class ==
  
−
=== Keeping control ===
+
=== Discord streaming ===
−
Speaking of staying in control, it's vital. You are the instructor and this is your class.
 
  
−
This means that you need to discipline:
+
<div style="float:right">
−
* anyone chatting in the class channel (ask them to take it private)
+
{{Color box|color=#144f1d|border=#2f8f2f|width=60%|<center>'''Word of Caution'''</center>
−
* anyone continually trying to answer questions "for you" in the class channel ("Could those of you responding to questions in the class channel, please stop - I know you are trying to be helpful but it is a distraction and I intend to cover points as I go along.")
+
Please make sure to not stream any of your personal data on accident. It's probably a good idea to use a clean browser, desktop background, etc. to protect your own privacy and decency.}}
−
* anyone misbehaving in channel
+
</div>
−
* anyone repeatedly speaking or keying up on Mumble because they do not have "Push to Talk" enabled correctly.
 
  
−
In the first instance, be polite and ask them to stop.
+
To present your slides (or in-game view) we use the [[Discord|Eve University Discord]] channel #class-presentations.  This requires either one of the Discord roles “Teacher” or "Guest Lecturer (OOC)".  A member of the Teaching Staff can assist with these permissions.
  
−
If they don't, then do kick them from the Mumble Class (EVE Uni) channel and in-game chat channel. Using the in-game channel commands, you can choose to mute them for a period as well.
+
Once you have the required permissions follow these steps (click to enlarge):
 +
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
 +
File:Discord presentation 1.JPG
 +
File:Discord presentation 2.JPG
 +
</gallery>
  
−
=== Wrapping up ===
+
=== The actual teaching ===
  
−
After the class is over, you will need to fill out a class report and update the forum thread for the class.  For details, please refer to the "[[How_to_Schedule_a_Class#Class_Scheduling_and_Administration|How to Schedule a Class]]" page.
+
* Be early and start on time
 +
* Follow a clear structured agenda (do not jump all over the topic)
 +
* Take your time (and a drink of water). People tend to talk faster when they are excited/nervous, so slow yourself down…breathe.
 +
* Leave room for questions after ‘chapters’ of your class and at the end.
 +
* Be assertive. Do not shy away from banking certain questions for later or referring to additional classes/materials to not get derailed from your lesson plan.  Make frequent references to the EVE University WIKI as needed and drop links in the [[Discord]] channel #class-questions.  For Guest Lecturers a Teaching Officer can assist you in this.
 +
* Do not be afraid to NOT know something. Get back to students on questions that you don’t know or see if someone else in the class knows the right answer. Remember the goal is to learn, not to impress.
  
−
If you recorded the class you can follow the guide on [[Editing_and_Uploading_Class_Recordings|Editing and Uploading Class Recordings]] to post your recording online.
 
  
−
== Summary ==
+
== Evaluating your class  ==
−
* Prepare for your class, including those optional questions and topics that might arise
+
* Ask your students to fill out the [http://www.eveuni.org/classfeedback Class Feedback Form] at the end of the lesson.  The form is also conveniently pinned on the [[Discord]] channel #class-questions.
−
* Make it your own class, presented in the order and manner that you feel comfortable with
+
* Rate yourself: What went great? What will you improve upon next time? Does the material need tweaks or edits?
−
* Control the class and questions
 
  
−
== Other Resources ==
+
* Now that you have made it to this point: Well done and thank you for your service!
−
Toastmasters International: http://ibmottawa.toastmastersclubs.org/Quick_Guide_To_Public_Speaking.html  (toastmastersclubs.org) focuses on public speaking, so this is a great resource for in-game and in-real-life presentations.
 
  
−
[[Category:Guides]]
+
== Useful Resources and Links ==
−
[[Category:Classes]]
+
* [[Teaching Department]]
 +
* [[Classes]]
 +
* [[Mumble]]
 +
* [[Discord]]
 +
* [https://forum.eveuniversity.org/viewforum.php?f=72 Scheduled Class Forums]

Latest revision as of 15:28, 26 February 2022

Teachinglogo.png


Teaching is the main function of EVE University, which is why our Teachers and Guest Lecturers are some of our most important resources. Teaching at EVE University is a rewarding activity in many ways, not least because it gives you the opportunity to educate thousands of capsuleers as they begin their journey in New Eden.

We are always looking for new volunteers willing to step up and teach what they have learned to a new generation of EVE pilots.

Golden Rule
If in doubt, reach out to the Teaching Department via Discord (channel #teaching-general or PMs). We are always happy to help!

Becoming a Teacher in EVE University

While most of our Teachers are current members of EVE University, it is not a requirement and we often have Guest Lecturers holding classes, workshops, and talks. Some of them even put an Alt-Character into the University to continue their teaching on a semi-regular basis.

Why you should teach for EVE University?

  • Give back to the community, share your knowledge with the next generation of capsuleers, and provide content for yourself and others.
  • Learn by teaching your chosen topic. Advance your own understanding of the subject matter and hone your RL skills of presenting and public speaking.
  • As a member of EVE University, you can earn credit towards the Educator Medal, the Cross Campus Initiative, and Progression Titles like Sophomore and Graduate.

What we expect of our Teachers?

  • They must have a working knowledge of the subject area(s) they wish to teach and be able to effectively communicate that knowledge; complete mastery is not required.
  • They are expected to comply with the standards outlined in this article.
  • They are expected to act appropriately as a member/guest of the University and set a positive example to students. EVE University’s general rules and guidelines must be adhered to.
  • They are highly encouraged to continue growing as educators, be it through self observation, contructive feedback from students, or mentoring by the Teaching Staff.

What is required to teach classes?

  • Timely and correct scheduling (see below)
  • Class relevant content (slides, instructions for a practicals/workshops)
  • Ingame assets for practicals like BPCs, Ships, etc. (Reach out to the Teaching Department if that becomes costly/logistically complex)
  • Access to our public Mumble and (open) Discord
  • Contact the Teaching Department for Discord rights and any help you might need to make your class happen.

What support does the Teaching Department provide?

  • A library of ready-to-teach CORE Classes
  • Assistance in creating your own non-CORE classes or practicals, just contact a Teaching Officer via Discord and they will be happy to assist you.
    • Please note that non-Core classes must be checked and approved by an Teaching Officer at least one week in advance of the class
  • Mentoring by our Teaching Officers (optional)
  • Teaching assistance during your class, e.g. posting links, providing an ingame target to shoot/scan down, etc. Just approach any member of the Teaching Department if that sounds beneficial to you.
    • Please note that the presence of a Teaching Officer is mandatory for any Guest-Lectures
  • Ingame resources for practicals, because we see no reason for you to also pay ISK on top of your teaching efforts. Just get in contact with us and we'll try to figure something out
  • Class Feedback, gathered by students filling out the Class Feedback Form at the end of your lecture

Choosing a Class/Topic

CORE Classes

In order to make teaching as accessible as possible and to provide students with the proper basic knowledge to find their way in New Eden, the Teaching Department offers a library of ready-to-teach CORE classes. Most new teachers are advised to start their teaching career with one of these.

Other Classes

By their very nature CORE Classes do not cover all areas of interest and expertise in EVE Online, which is why we encourage experienced and/or specialised teachers to develop and hold their own classes. To ensure a certain amount of quality control, there are a few extra steps to consider though:

  • Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. A decent class that gets held and then improved upon is better than a perfect class that never actually happens.
  • We offer a slide Template our corporate branding
  • We ask that you submit your class slides and/or practical instructions to the Teaching Department at least one week ahead of your class.
  • Make sure you're willing and able to react to contructive feedback and adjust your preparation accordingly.

Do I know enough to teach this class?

You do not have to be an expert of every area of Eve Online to teach classes. If you have a working knowledge of a specific topic that might be the right topic for you. You should be comfortable with most aspects of your chosen topic, be able to present them in a concise and understandable manner and be able to answer student questions.

Choosing how to present your class

Different options (or a combination) can be used for different types of classes:

  • Classic slide decks are a good way to present bundled up static information in a visual way.
  • Screen sharing your EVE in-game view offers a great way to demonstrate things in real-time and our Discord classroom is set up for this already.
  • Organising in-game practicals (if you require ships/materials for these the Teaching Department is more than happy to help you out and foot the bill!)


To hold your class, we most commonly use:

  • Mumble for voice communication.
  • Discord for screensharing/slide presentation and types questions.
  • Class (EVE Uni) ingame channel for ingame links sometimes also qustions

Additional options include but are not limited to:

  • Twitch Streaming
  • Youtube Videos


Choose the right way to present for you and your topic. It is common to evolve your approach as you gain experience with the subject and a better understanding of how students perceive the content.

Scheduling your class

  • Try to schedule your class at least one week in advance, to give people a chance to hear about your class and make time in their schedule to attend. If you are expecting support for ships/modules or other manufactured items this is a minimum requirement and not optional.
  • Check the UNI in-game calendar for available dates/times. Do NOT schedule a class at the same time as any other class or event. Non-University lecturers can get assistance with this from a Teaching Officer.
  • Try to leave a buffer of 15-30 minutes in between different classes to ideally give Students a break and more importantly avoid any overlap in case one class runs into overtime.


Forum Announcement

Ingame Calendar

Create a class announcement on the ingame EVE Uni calendar (provided you hold the Sophomore title, if not, see above) make sure to:

  • include [CORE], [Class], [Practical] or [Q&A] as a title prefix, followed by the name/topic of the class.
  • set the availability to "Alliance" (preferred), the default is private which will mean no one apart from yourself is gonna see the event on their calendar. Do not tick the box Important.
  • set a realistic duration which leaves time for questions in the end. We generally prefer classes to last around 60 minutes, but 45-90 minutes is well acceptable.
  • ensure that your class is not colliding with other classes. It's generally a good idea to leave at least 15-30 minutes in between classes so students can take a break and to avoid any overlaps.
  • include a short outline of the class and a forum link in the Description

Discord Pings

People often wonder how often to ping for their classes in the '#ping-class' discord channel, usually the answer is once or twice.

  1. (optional) "@everyone x hour preparing for Intro to XYZ"
  2. (mandatory) "@everyone Intro to XYZ starting now/in 5 minutes"

Feel free to expand on those pings by providing the forum link or additional context to the class but keep it reasonably brief.

Preparing your class

  • Prepare your hardware (microphone etc.)
  • Prepare your software (Discord, Mumble etc.)
  • Prepare your lesson content:
    • Prepare the slide deck and speaker notes if desired.
    • Prepare an agenda to be followed even if not using slides to stay on track.
    • Prepare the ships/materials for a potential practical and ensure they have been delivered as expected.
    • Prepare the environment. Many practicals benefit from having established bookmarks to streamline activities.
  • Prepare yourself (have water on hand, etc.)

Holding your class

Discord streaming

Word of Caution
Please make sure to not stream any of your personal data on accident. It's probably a good idea to use a clean browser, desktop background, etc. to protect your own privacy and decency.

To present your slides (or in-game view) we use the Eve University Discord channel #class-presentations. This requires either one of the Discord roles “Teacher” or "Guest Lecturer (OOC)". A member of the Teaching Staff can assist with these permissions.

Once you have the required permissions follow these steps (click to enlarge):

  • Discord presentation 1.JPG
  • Discord presentation 2.JPG

The actual teaching

  • Be early and start on time
  • Follow a clear structured agenda (do not jump all over the topic)
  • Take your time (and a drink of water). People tend to talk faster when they are excited/nervous, so slow yourself down…breathe.
  • Leave room for questions after ‘chapters’ of your class and at the end.
  • Be assertive. Do not shy away from banking certain questions for later or referring to additional classes/materials to not get derailed from your lesson plan. Make frequent references to the EVE University WIKI as needed and drop links in the Discord channel #class-questions. For Guest Lecturers a Teaching Officer can assist you in this.
  • Do not be afraid to NOT know something. Get back to students on questions that you don’t know or see if someone else in the class knows the right answer. Remember the goal is to learn, not to impress.


Evaluating your class

  • Ask your students to fill out the Class Feedback Form at the end of the lesson. The form is also conveniently pinned on the Discord channel #class-questions.
  • Rate yourself: What went great? What will you improve upon next time? Does the material need tweaks or edits?
  • Now that you have made it to this point: Well done and thank you for your service!

Useful Resources and Links

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