A question of skills

RonMartin(deceased)

A little while ago I got a message from a club asking me if I would come and do a program for them. That is always a natural high for me. Something I really enjoy doing. Flattered is one of the milder terms that I would use to explain how it makes me feel.
I fired back the standard form letter saying "YOU BET 'CHA" All I needed to know is what kind of program they wanted.
Here is part of the message I got back from them.
"Please do not come to show us what you can do, come and show us what we can do." A highly interesting proposition.
A group of people that would rather be educated than entertained.
Does this mean that I now need to do some homework. Do I need to find out the average skill level of the members of that club. Find out what kind of material is available to them. Work within those parameters and show them how to put it all together.
Are the days of "Impress them and leave" a thing of the past. Is the new emphasis on tailoring to the skills the audience and not so much the one doing the program.
An interesting question. For me at least

Advertisement

Repotter

I found this to be true when I was asked to give a class at a local garden club.
A workshop per say. They were anxious to learn.
And that was one of my first questions to them, what experience level, and all of the things that can enter your mind.
As it turned out they needed me to bring all material with me. Due to logistics I defered them to my classes I teach at the store.
They since have come and registered and attended classes. Better for all.
They were a very enthusiastic group, and even applauded at the end.
Thats hard to beat.
Hector

bonsaikc

I certainly hope so!

__________________
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Jerry Meislik

Great points raised, Ron.
I judge the program and speaker/demonstrator by what I learn and by information that was transmitted that allows the listener to take home new information useful in their own bonsai work.
I don't attend, for long, demos that just don't offer information.
Kudos to you for working hard to teach!
Jerry

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

RonMartin(deceased)

Jerry
No kudos needed or earned. I was just relaying a question that was asked of me.
Just noticed that this thread was moved from the General forum to the Students of bonsai forum. Guess that makes sense. Eludes me why but, then I am not the smartest ameba on the planet.
I was hoping for a general discussion on the subject. But then I guess a more targeted discussion is what is needed.
Either way I do hope the topic will get discussed ;o)

David Yedwab

being concerned about the audience and it's ability to learn is a great concept. I do an annual class session to a general undergraduate horticulture class at Rutgers, and have been doing it for several years. The courses instructor likes to have different topics in horticulture shown to the students.

My program is always in mid-November and I almost always bring my big ginkgo, as it is usually in its gorgeous leaf stage. The class is always about what is bonsai, design, technioques, history, horticulture, tools, etc.

If I had to think about a different audiernce, I'd definitely do a different program for each audiernce - the same as I do professionally when I do a presentation -- learn about the audience and only then can you help them learn.

__________________
David Yedwab

mike_p

Ron, my idea of a demo is one part education, one part audience participation, and one part show biz.
Regarding "Please do not come to show us what you can do, come and show us what we can do," the demonstrator must take his knowledge and skills, or as the quote says, "what you can do" and make it fit "what we can do".
My last demonstration was this past Saturday at Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai. I did a power carving demo on an old boxwood. After I explained each tool and demonstrated each, I invited audience particitation. A few responded, and by so doing, showed that what I can do, so could they. One of the responders was a white haired LOL who bravely took a small power tool in hand and made a few passes on the tree. This all tended to show that the audience could, with patience and practice, do everything that I can do.
I guess what I'm saying is that the demonstrator has to show his or her skills and knowledge, and put it in terms the audience can profit from.

Mike

__________________
Bonsai is not a hobby.
Bonsai is a way of life.
MP@BBB Studio

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

Bonsai Barry

Ron,

As you consider what might be of benefit, I'd like to make a suggest regarding what I'd like to learn. I would be fascinated by a presentation that taught me how to better visualize what a tree might look like in the future. If you could teach them to do that AND demonstrate how to create simple sketches that would illustrate their vision of tree's future, you deserve more than applause!

__________________
Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

PatArizona

My conception of a presentation, very simply put, is ONE HOUR OR LESS... maybe followed by Q/A.

"Visualize" and "sketch"...teach an audience to "do" both in a presentation? In my opinion, you could only scratch the surface of one or the other in a one hour presentation...remember, I said "...My conception of a presentation, very simply put, is ONE HOUR OR LESS...".

Also, I couldn't even begin to teach someone how to sketch...

Maybe a better approach would be, in a class or workshop setting, to have a presenter/teacher "visualize" a number of plants, with an artist sketching the visualations...no cutting. Then a followup session to help the individuals start the journey...and so on.

My thoughts...

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.