EDGE is the method used in Boy Scouts to teach skills to the troop, the key to making EDGE work, is to use it for all teaching opportunities. EDGE is very basic, but it really does help Scouts learn and retain skills. Using the EDGE method to teach something is a great way to help ensure that actual learning occurs as a result of your efforts.
When you are done, if your student can show you how to do it himself, you were successful!
The EDGE method will be helpful as you share your skills with other scouts, and if you are thinking, it's not for you or you don't plan on being an instructor, please note that there are requirements associated with rank advancements, awards and merit badges that require you to use the EDGE method to teach someone a skill and others that just require you to teach a skill so why not use the EDGE method to ensure that the other scout, learns from your efforts.
The EDGE method is a four step method for teaching a skill:
Explain - talk about what you will be doing and why it’s important.
- First explain what you will be doing.
- Tell them the steps involved.
- Visual aids might be helpful for this step.
- Use questions to gauge their understanding.
Demonstrate - next, show them what the skill looks like when it’s done correctly.
- Show them how to do the skill.
- Demonstrate the steps using the actual materials.
- Describe what you are doing as you go through the steps.
Guide - now it’s their turn, give them the tools, and let them try
- Let them practice the skill.
- Guide and coach them as they try to do it themselves.
- This step will take the most time, so be patient.
- You may have to demonstrate the skill for them throughout this step.
Enable - now they get to do it on their own.
- Allow them to do the skill themselves without any intervention.
- If they can properly demonstrate the skill themselves, than they have effectively learned the skill.
- The best training ends with the learner showing off his new ability.