Welcome to your fourth year of the National Training Institute! As a fourth-year participant, you will continue in your quest to learn and apply new skills, knowledge, and abilities that will enable you to become a better instructor and to increase student participation in the learning process. The fourth year is a great time to focus on ways to design instruction that is truly “learner centered.” You will also continue your exploration of your role as a JATC instructor in order to maximize your effectiveness in the classroom. The fourth year provides the opportunity to continue networking with other instructors, professional educators, and various individuals who share your desire to provide the highest quality of technical instruction and training in the industry. With graduation just around the corner, you should feel comfortable and familiar with the institute and should be ready to hit the ground running!
There are two courses in the fourth-year curriculum. These courses are: Course 41-Discussion Methods and Course 42-Creating an Active Training Environment. Course 41 includes the following general topics: functions of discussions, tools and techniques for leading a discussion, and actual practice in leading a discussion. Course 42 includes the following general topics: application of adult learning principles to the Electrical Training ALLIANCE curriculum materials, using the instructional design process to design effective instructional strategies for a variety of training situations. Special emphasis will be placed on the design and use of “Active Learning Strategies” in both the classroom and laboratory settings.
You will get a chance to reflect on these courses and to do a bit of preparation as you complete this Pre-NTI module. At NTI this year, you will participate in a Professional Portfolio review session and an extensive amount of individualized hands-on activities and instruction. All of these activities are designed to be interactive and tailored specifically to your needs as a JATC instructor.
As a fourth-year participant, you are familiar with many aspects of the NTI. We are sure that you are excited about your past experiences and your time at NTI this summer. Your fellow instructors are working hard are to prepare for the trip to Ann Arbor. The professional educators are preparing to meet you there and to provide high quality training and experiences for you. The I-Group program is the heart and soul of the NTI. Get ready to interact with these participants and members of the C-Group, T-Group and others at general activities such as the Opening Session, evening sessions, and at graduation activities. Remember to come to NTI with an open mind, a desire for knowledge, and a willingness to ask a lot of questions and to work hard!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR NTI EXPERIENCE!