I've taught creative activities for many years now and I've also taught others how to teach. Knowing your subject is one thing. Being able to share it is quite another. It's not just using the right words and the right techniques. It helps to understand something of how we learn too.

A basic understanding of the process will help you to think about what you need to know, and then do. Ask yourself the following 7 questions.

1. What do they know already and what have they done before?
2. What level should I to start at?
3. What do I need to know or do?
4. How shall I break down the steps?
5. How much should I talk and demonstrate before they 'do'
6. How will I know they are learning?
7. How can I build on the skills they have learnt?

Let's go through them one by one now.

1. What do they know already and what have they done before?

Knowing what level people are at is the first stage in the process. What can they do already? What kinds of things have they made? What are they interested in? If people are motivated to learn then they will pick up skills much quicker. It's unlikely of course that everyone will be at the same stage so you can expect a range of skills and abilities in one class.

2. What level should I to start at?

If you know what people can do and are interested in you can then judge what level of project to introduce them to. There's no point for instance in trying to show someone the skills of metal-smithing, if they haven't yet tackled the simplest of embossing. Choose the level carefully to give everyone a chance to succeed and then excel. You'll need to have a range of projects that you can offer over a period of time and you may need to have 2 projects running in the same session to fulfil everyone's needs.

3. What do I need to know or do?

There will be things you need to find about. If you don't know the subject then you'll need to do some research. Choose some instructions that are clear and sound as if they are written for teachers. You not only need to learn about the subject, but it helps to know a little about learning too. Remember that we learn through a mixture of seeing and doing. Think about the samples of the project that you could make to help with the learning and teaching process. What stages could you make up for visual learners? This will also help with your learning too.

4. How shall I break down the steps?

As you're thinking about the samples to make break down the project into stages or techniques. Then separate the stages into the individual steps. If theinstructions you are using are clear then this should be clearly laid out for you.

5. How much to talk and demonstrate before they 'do'?

This one always causes concern but it's all pretty logical really. If you've broken down the steps then it will seem obvious at what stages people need to be doing something. For instance, in teaching people how to make an acetate 3-fold card the first step is to choose a design, then prepare the design for outlining. These 2 stages are combined into one skill: preparing to outline. In introducing the project I would tell and show people what I want them to do and then stop demonstrating and talking and hand it over to them. Those who like to get stuck in will appreciate doing and others can be encouraged if need be with more advice.

6. How will I know they are learning?

All teachers need to ask themselves this one. Is it enough to have survived the session? Is learning a bonus? What kind of learning am I looking for and must it be craft skills only? Ask yourself exactly what you and your organisation want learners to achieve. How will you check that learning has taken place?

7. How can I build on the skills they have learnt?

If something goes well then you'll want to know how to extend the skills that have been learnt. Try and use the same skills in other projects perhaps by making something more individual, or by incorporating the skills into a new technique.

As challenging as it might be, teaching has many rewards. Helping someone to learn a new skill is a great achievement for everyone. If you are confident in what you are doing then you'll pass on that to those you are sharing with. Do as much as you can to build your own skills before the session. And don't forget to enjoy the process too.