Judging, Demonstrations & Skillathons

1. Judging, Demonstrations & Skillathons Module 9 Volunteer Development: Making the Best Better Series

2. Introduction Discovering ways 4-H members can show what they have learned.

3. Three Skills Every 4-H’er Should Know • Demonstrations • Judging • Skillathons

4. Skillathons Enhance: • Subject matter knowledge • Self-awareness • Decision-making • Social interaction • Physical skills

5. What is a Skillathon? • A method of involving youth and their parents in challenging, non-competitive, learn-by-doing activities. • A series of mini-learning stations with an assistant at each station

6. Skillathon’s Accomplish Youth will: • Evaluate their ability to solve the challenge presented by the task. • Learn to work together as members of a team. • Discover for themselves what they need to know to do the activity. • Receive recognition for their efforts.

7. Skillathon Guidelines • Set up the situation • Give a broad overview of what will happen • Provide further instruction in small segments, as the group progresses. • Always keep the learning goal and objectives in mind.

8. Skillathon Guidelines(cont) • Facilitate the process • Maintain a supportive atmosphere • Give everyone something to do at all times. • Become involved whenever possible. • Let the group members assist with the process. • Write directions for the group on an overhead or newsprint. • Be sure all groups are on time and on task.

9. Skillathon Guidelines(cont) • Facilitate learning • Turn whatever happens into a learning experience. • Avoid discussions that are “too deep” • Make the steps clear and complete

10. Judging Judging is making a decision and telling why you made it.

11. Successful Judging Depends upon • Knowledge of the product; • Understanding the standards or criteria for the product; • Comparing products to the standards

12. Steps in Judging • Compare items to the standard • Compare pairs of products and decide which is best • Explain orally the reasons for the selection

13. Tips for Giving Reasons • Be brief • Organize the presentation logically • Recall visual images • Keep the scorecard in mind • Look for the big things first • Look for pairs

14. Demonstrations A demonstration helps others learn how to do something useful, perhaps in an easier or more practical way.

15. Why Do Demonstrations? • Involves visual and verbal presentations at the same time. • Helps 4-H’ers to: • Develop self-confidence • Express their ideas clearly • Spontaneously respond to questions • Gain knowledge about a specific subject

16. Kinds of Demonstrations • Individual • Team • Working

17. Parts of a Demonstration • Introduction • Body • Summary • Questions and answers

18. Review • Skillathons • Judging • Demonstrations

19. Questions?

20. References 4-H 101, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, under special project number 99-EYAR-0747 Judging: A 4-H Teaching Technique LG730, Jamie Tomek and Mary Jo Williams, University of Missouri 4-H Youth Development Program. 4-H Demonstrations LG744, Jamie Tomek and Mary Jo Williams, University of Missouri 4-H Youth Development Program.