How to Give a ClinicBy Scott Perry

& Steve Moore

EduTRAIN™

This is an EduTRAIN™ Clinic

EduTRAIN™Copyright © 2014, National Model Railroad Association, Inc.

Warning!

• The thought of giving a clinic can cause people to die on the spot, fall over with fear, lose control of their bodily functions, and make them change hobbies.

• If you think that this clinic on giving clinics, could cause “clinicitis” in you or those next to you, report to the clinic down the hall immediately.

You Have Been Warned!

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Purpose of the Clinic

• The Purpose of this clinic is to show that giving a clinic is not hard to do, not lethal, and can be a great factor in helping you improve your own skills.

• It can also introduce you to some new friends.

• Your Division Needs New Clinicians.

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Clinic on Giving Clinics• What’s a Clinic?• Type of Clinic• Deciding to Give a Clinic• Choosing a Topic• Preparing a Clinic• PowerPoints• Demonstration and Hands-On• Before the Clinic• During the Clinic• After the Clinic• Questions?

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What is a Clinic?

• Sharing of knowledge• Entertainment• Helping Others• Contributing to Your

Division

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Types of Clinics

• Lecture• Discussion, (Panel Discussion)• Hands-On• Round Table• Demo.

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Deciding to Give a Clinic

• You Do Not Have to be an Expert.

• And You Don’t Even

Have be the smartest

Person in the Room.

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Deciding to Give a Clinic

• If you are nervous, try a Mini-Clinic before doing a full Clinic.

• The Clinic Coordinator will be Happy to Review and Rehearse Your Clinic with You.

• Keep Your First Clinic Simple and Easy.

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Choosing a Topic

• If You Don’t have a Topic in Mind, Ask the Clinic Coordinator for Possible Topics.

• Pick Something You Like to Do or Already Know About.

• Pick Something You Want to Know More About.

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Choosing a Topic

• Find a Topic a Friend Knows a lot about and Get Him to Help You.

• Find a Clinic that has Been Done at other Clubs that Might be of Interest to your Group.

• Always Get Approval for the Topic from the Clinic Coordinator and Set a Firm Date!

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Possible Clinic Topics

• Photo and Painted Backdrops.

• Couplers.• Scenery Techniques.• Basic Layout Electrical.• Structures- Design and

Construction.• Kitbashing- Make it

Different.• Scratchbuilding

Structures, Hands-On• Layout Animation.

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Possible Clinic Topics

• Laser Kit Construction Hands-On

• Bridges- from Prototype with Plastic, or Wood.

• Airbrushing Hands-On, Stripping Paint, Cleaning Brushes, etc.

• 3D Printing.• Many More. . .

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Preparing a Clinic

• Basics of a Clinic:– Tell them What You’re Going to Tell

Them.

– Tell Them.

– Tell Them What You Told Them.

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Preparing a Clinic

• Outline the Clinic, (Speakers Notes.)

• Prepare Your PowerPoint

Presentation.

• Prepare Your Hands-On or Demonstration Project.

• Prepare Your Hand-Outs, (Including Material List and Sources when Appropriate).EduTRAIN™

Preparing a Clinic

• Keep the presentation focused on your main idea, don’t wander.

• Build the presentation in a logical fashion from beginning to end, (i.e. tell your story).

• Point 1

• Point 2

• Point 3

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Preparing a Clinic

• Use few words on the chart for readability, use more charts if necessary. Let the speaker explain the words, don’t make the audience read.

• Use pictures and diagrams as much as possible.

• Always consider the readability of the chart in choosing backgrounds and colors.

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Preparing a Clinic

• Gather Your Materials.

• Practice it Several Times to get Comfortable.

• Dry Run Your Presentation to a Friend, (Check Timing).

• Make Final Corrections.

Yahda,

Yahda,

Yahda

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Things to Avoid

• Harsh Humor.• Rude Jokes. • Nudity.• Insults.• Political or Religion Jokes.• Off Topic Items and Stories.• Going Over the Time Limit.

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Demonstration and Hands-On

• Demonstrations are one the Most Effective Teaching Methods.

• Be Sure that What You are Doing Can Be Seen by Everyone.

• Handouts help the Group to Follow Along, and are Required for Achievement Program Credit.

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Demonstration and Hands-On

• Hands-On Means the Group Participates.

• Careful Preparation is Required to Get Materials Together.

• Always Think About Clean-Up.

• Be Sure to do the Hands-On Projects Yourself BEFORE You Give the Clinic.

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Before the Clinic

• Make a Checklist of Things You Need to Bring.• Contact the Clinic Coordinator to Make Sure the

Computer, Projector, Tables, Water, or Whatever You Need will be Available.

• Load Your Material in a Box or Two for Transport.

• Check Items Off the List as you Put them in the Box.

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Before the Clinic• Show Up Early to Setup

the Room the Way You Like.

• Check the Room Lighting.• Demo: Can the Audience

See What You’re Doing?• Ask for Help if You Need

It.• Always have Water to

Drink if You Get Choked or a Dry Throat.

• Always Expect Problems.

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During the Clinic

• Speak Clearly and Not Too Fast.

• Speak as if You’re in a Conversation.

• Don’t Try to Memorize.

• Every Time You Present Your Clinic it is Different.

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During the Clinic

NOTICENOTICE: No One Has Ever Died from Giving a Clinic. Public : No One Has Ever Died from Giving a Clinic. Public

Speaking is However, the Number One Fear of Adults. Practice Speaking is However, the Number One Fear of Adults. Practice

Makes this Fear Go Away. Makes this Fear Go Away.

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During the Clinic

• Engage the Audience.• Use Direct Eye Contact.• Don’t Read the PowerPoint,

Present the Material.• Move. . . . . . . . .• It’s OK to Make

Mistakes or Say, “I Don’t Know”.• Present Tips for Those Afraid to

Speak to Groups.

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After the Clinic

• Answer Questions.• Offer to Help Others.• Don’t Demean Your

Clinic.• Get Ready for Your

Next Clinic.

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Review

• What is a Clinic?• Types of Clinics.• Deciding to Give a

Clinic.• Choosing a Topic.• Preparing a Clinic.• PowerPoints.• Demonstrations and

Hands-On.

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Review

• Before the Clinic.• During the Clinic.• After the Clinic.• Questions.

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Questions?

Questions?

Questions?

More Questions???www.nmra.org/educationEduTRAIN™