Power Hour Lesson Outlines

Outline:

Introduction

• Overview of common mistakes in lesson planning.

• Focus on what the document will cover regarding effective lesson plan creation.

Purpose of a Lesson Plan

• Definition: A structured outline of lesson goals and objectives.

• Key Points:

  • It is not meant to teach the instructor.

  • Adaptability is crucial as teaching varies for different students.

  • Having three types of lesson plans is advised:

    • Checkride (detailed for flight exam scenarios).

    • Preflight briefing (simplified for students with ground school knowledge).

    • Evaluation plan (focusing on standards and structure).

Who the Lesson Plan is For

• The lesson plan is for the instructor, not the student.

• Designed as a guide for ensuring all topics are covered without distracting students.

• Emphasizes the importance of images over text-heavy slides for better engagement.

Checkride vs. Real Student Lesson Plans

• Checkride Plans: Inappropriate for regular students due to their complexity and length (15-20 minutes).

• Real Student Plans: Should be concise and focused (around 5 minutes), primarily for preflight briefings.

What to Avoid in Lesson Plans

• Avoid long sentences and overly detailed information on slides.

• Excessive text detracts from the lesson's focus and can overwhelm students.

How to Use a Lesson Plan with PowerPoint or Keynote

• Use dark backgrounds to keep the focus on the instructor.

• Ensure there is only one message per slide, limiting the number of objects to a maximum of six.

• Procedures should be revealed gradually to maintain attention.

• Prioritize meaningful images to reduce text and guide focus.

• Example comparisons:

  • Bad Example: Overly detailed slide on "Steep Turns."

  • Good Example: Clear, concise visuals with contrast to steer focus.

Best Practices

• Minimize what is shown to avoid students reading instead of listening.

• Control the amount of content on each slide to enhance comprehension.

Examples

• Demonstrations of both bad and good lesson plans, particularly in the context of aviation training (e.g., Steep Turns example).

• Emphasis on the importance of using contrast and simplicity in visual aids.