Numismatic educational opportunities
In 2019 I applied to be an adjunct instructor at the College
of DuPage, Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), teaching a class titled “Exploring
Numismatics”. The pandemic caused the campus to close, but I was able to create
a virtual classroom using Zoom. I’ve run several virtual classes since then and
being online has been both effective and a great convenience for all concerned.
For 2022, I have decided to expand my classes to include Harper College, and
also to invite local coin club members to help with the class. There are lots
of ways that local coin club members can help! What I’m doing, other
numismatically inclined educators/collectors can duplicate, or support. There
are more than 400 LLI that operate in all 50 states: A-Directory-of-Lifelong-Learning-Institutes.pdf
(northwestern.edu).
It would be great if numismatics could be taught at 400 different locations nationwide, and of course I am happy to help others get that started. If this sounds interesting to you, please contact me. If we can get a lot of ANA members to participate, we can begin to put numismatics into the mainstream of educational opportunities. Here’s what I need from ANA members that want to jump in:
20 minute numismatic presentations, preferably power point, with photos, presented live during my class. You pick your own topic.
10 minute numismatic show and tell presentations, with photos, presented live during my class.
Teaching assistants, for a portion of my class.
Substitute teachers, to fill in when I’m not available.
For ANA members interested in becoming adjunct instructors, I’ll provide assistance and mentoring.
John Kent
773-259-0838
Comments
I. R. Bama
Level 5
You're a numismatic superstar for creating this!
Kepi
Level 6
Sounds like you are doing a great job for the numismatic community! Good luck! ; )
user_33663
Level 3
I suggest you check with the college or university near you. You can also start out by taking a class in the Lifelong Learners Institute, and get to know the programs that way. I took a French class a few years ago, then our chorus decided to offer singing lessons, Once I had participated in a couple classes, I knew I could offer a class of my own.
AC coin$
Level 6
Fine way to reach others and let education get involved in numismatics.
slybluenote
Level 5
Thanks for sharing your info with us! I have been considering the opportunity to share information with other folks, but I’m just not really sure yet. Don’t you need to be accredited to be able to perform the above tasks? I’ll certainly jot down your contact info for future reference! Again, thanks for sharing!
user_33663
Level 3
I suggest you check with the college or university near you. You can also start out by taking a class in the Lifelong Learners Institute, and get to know the programs that way. I took a French class a few years ago, then our chorus decided to offer singing lessons, Once I had participated in a couple classes, I knew I could offer a class of my own.
Longstrider
Level 6
Great work. The ANA is always looking for teachers in their Webinars. So is Newman. Lots of opportunities. Thanks.
user_33663
Level 3
I thought about helping out with the ANA webinars and even put together a powerpoint on World Crowns! But I am a generalist, and like working with beginners. There's a lot of need for entry level conversations with new and returning collectors! I do plan to attend Summer Seminar, and to eventually help with that effort.
Mike
Level 7
I'm sorry . Good work. But this is not the right time. I'm 68. And I don't zoom. I'm sure you will get some people. . Thanks for the information.
user_33663
Level 3
FYI, we offer the class 3 times per semester, 3 sessions per class, on Thursday evenings. 2 of the classes are on Zoom and 1 of the classes is done live. Most of the Lifelong Learning Institutes prefer live classes, so that's a great opportunity, but with the pandemic, lots of other people would prefer to use Zoom. I do think that there is room for both approaches. But for my live class in October, I only had 2 students register and the class was cancelled. The Zoom class had 9 students. So clearly, there was more demand for a virtual classroom than a live classroom, at least for now.
Golfer
Level 5
Look's like a great idea to promote numismatics. I believe the hobby could grow tremendously with programs like this. Just need to have more people exposed to the hobby, and get the craving to collect.
user_33663
Level 3
I had 9 students in my last class, most of them had coin and currency collections that they had inherited, and a few had collections that they no longer kept up with. One member of the class was an ANA member and regularly attends show, etc.. After the class, one of the students had learned enough to feel confident in selling their collection to a local shop. Another student decided that his collection was to broad and unfocused (he inherited a collection, and it was all over the map!). So we helped him focus on 2 denominations in the US. Having run the class since 2019, I have lots of stories!