The teaching
season has started, at least for me here in BC.
Yes it has also
been the first time I have taught a bike course with light snow falling. It does give an ironic humour in saying cycling
is an all weather sport, perspective is everything.
I would like to
speak about some points that I feel should be considerations with teaching
students/clients the concepts that are CAN-BIKE.
These concepts
are valid for any teaching. CAN-BIKE, The League of American Cyclists courses, or the
NCCP courses, or any course. I use these as I have taken Instructor classes
from both of those cycling aspects very recently.
These concepts, are valid when teaching. There
are numerous reading, dissertations and up to and including PhD level writings
on the subject. I have picked out what I
have been shown/taught, and what has worked for me.
As Instructors
we have to recognize that we have a diverse group that are coming to us with
the request to learn to ride better.
The
next thing we as Instructors need to recognize is the four ways people learn;
1 By Doing – Many people need to try some
activity in order to learn a particular skill.
This is sometimes called Kinesthetic or Tactile Learning
2 By
Hearing – There are many who have to hear what they are learning in order
to best absorb it. These people are
often called Auditory Learners.
3 By
Seeing – Some of us need to use our sight to get a good idea about what
they are learning. This is called Visual
Learning.
4 By
Thinking – Some people need time to think and understand before they
learn. People that learn this way are
often called Cognitive Learners.
We all learn in
all four of the ways above, but most people have one or two ways that are more
prominent. If we know how we learn best,
it can help us to better and more quickly assimilate new information and
develop new skills quicker. In turn how to pass the information we are teaching
across to others.
I have learned
from the NCCP Facilitator training there are three levels of teaching. I have also learned as the person who is
teaching, we need to recognize how we fit into the grand scheme. The three key functions are;
Instructor
Guide
Moderator
We learn while
teaching where we fit, and then to use the three levels mentioned.
Each person is
different and uses the levels differently, and views the levels differently.
Experience
teaches us to recognize when to use the levels and how to make them work the
best for the group be taught.
Once we know how
best to present the material then we can present our lessons to achieve the
best outcomes.
As an Instructor
we need to be aware that we need to teach in ways that everyone can learn, not
just those who are closest to our way.
Now once we
combine the ways we learn, and the ways we teach and the way others learn with
the courses being taught, then the outcome will be better for those taking the
course(s).
Let’s look at the CAN-BIKE course list.
There are a
number of different levels of courses that are offered. They are:
Youth
Kids CAN-BIKE Festival
Youth
Kids CAN-BIKE
CAN-BIKE Adult learn to ride 01,
CAN-BIKE Adult learn to ride 02,
CAN-BIKE
01, tailored for youths
CAN-BIKE
01, tailored for adults
CAN-BIKE
01, tailored to Police volunteers and Security officers
CAN-BIKE
Freedom for Women (CAN-BIKE 01 Women
Only)
Rural
CAN-BIKE
CAN-BIKE
02,
Here in BC I
offer:
CAN-BIKE
Advanced
CAN-BIKE
Pro courses.
The courses
offered depends on the Province you are in.
*NOTE* Not all courses offered in all places
in CANADA. Please check with the
CAN-BIKE office in Ottawa Ontario at www.canbikecanada.ca for further course information.
When you look at
the courses offered through the CAN-BIKE program, you discover they cover the
spectrum of age, 6 to 80, and ability. I use 80 since I had a gent 80 years
young in a CAN-BIKE One class last year, and did very well.
Is it fair to
allow a person to take the class if it is above their ability? A rider who gets
either hurt or embarrassed isn't likely to continue. We want them to learn,
come back and more over have fun.
You should have
a plan, okay a basic idea, of how you want the class, and/or portions of the
class to go. The goal is to have the teaching objectives successful.
In my particular
case, when it comes to the parking lot portion, slow speed skills, I carry a
laminated recipe card with all the skills written down/listed. That way I can
follow the progression, and keep a track on what I have done, what I need to do
and make sure my time line is working out correctly.
My dear wife is
a teacher and has taught me how to make sure you are as prepared as you can be.
Get your material in order, get the
things you are going to use inside and outside the class ready and on hand.
I carry
everything I use in the back of the truck and in places I can reach quickly and
easily.
Keeping a class,
inside and outside running smoothly and as seamless as possible, is the key. At the end of the day when those taking the
course didn't see any hiccups or disruptions, then you are closer to being
successful.
The other thing
you want to take into account is who you are going to teach with. Good
chemistry is everything. I am blessed that I have a group that I can work and
co-teach/team teach with.
To those in that
group, and you know who you are, THANK-YOU for your assistance and support.
Not everyone can
lead, and in turn not everyone can sit second chair. You need to be comfortable
and have the confidence to be in either spot. The success of the students must
be the first consideration, after all in all most every case, they are paying
you to teach them.
The last thing
you want is someone coming up to you at the end of the day and saying they
didn’t get their monies worth.
The objective is
to be prepared, to be confident in your material and your abilities and those
you are team teaching with.
The bonus is
someone coming up to you, shaking your hand, and saying Wow, that was great I
have been riding for a lot of years and I learned something new today,
Thank-you.
Thanks for Stopping,
Safe Ride Home.
Chuck
