I am interested in some materials to help me become a more effective welding teacher.

I took over a "pipe welding" class that had been going on for about 2 mos already and  don't feel I have done as good a job as I could have. I have never bothered to look into what skills I need to develop as an instructor and would love to get better.

Any books, websites, or contact information would be great.

I have questions about welding specific topics that an experienced instructor may be able to help me with but am also looking for information that is geared towards vocational training.

Would love some phone time with anyone with helpful information.

Thanks
Gerald Austin

The hardest thing is learning how to teach. Years ago they would send people to me in the shop to teach and I would try to show them how I did it which was like Don Garlits teaching parallel parking. I had to learn how to teach the basics and let each persons technique develop. Being able to "read the weld" is imperative. I can look at the welds and see where they were comfortable, where their elbow dropped, where they shifted and changed their angles, where the clamp got in the way etc etc. I teach them to get themselves comfortable enough that they can travel like a machine. Once they find their happy place they can focus on perfecting their techniques.