I just watched a TED talk by a guy called Dan Meyer.
He has some wonderful thoughts on how maths should be taught. Now, WTF was I doing watching an education piece about maths? Could you be more of a nerd? Well, as it happens I was once a maths teacher. Yes I inflicted myself upon some poor unsuspecting children in a subject that could only be described as having as much going for it as a torn pocket. What has this got to do with sports?
Those of you who know me, know for the last ten years I have been a golf professional. I have taught all abilities and ages. I kept up by reading and watching, inviting myself into forums of pointless debate. I thought I may have been pretty good even. I thought that I could systemise everybody.
Was I wrong? I don’t think so but would like to take Mr. Meyer’s lead and provide an alternative to teaching golf, and for that matter, teaching a skill than just technique.
Inherently we as humans are learners. We like to discover things. I’m sure of this because I’m pretty sure that Cook guy, some dude called Columbus and some other old dudes went exploring. Oh yeah…you could add Gagarin and Armstrong to that list too (space dudes). Anyway, if we are discoverererers – sorry my erererers got away on me – then we could lead our students to a path of self discovery. I think this is important because deep down we all have a bit of disdain for authority and the taught of being preached at for an hour or so is frightening. Why not ask leading questions? Can you tell me how that ball will get to there? Can you show me with this ball why you think you slice?
All sports are games of managing imperfections, therefore being activities where the process is more important than the result. Why not make that the students own and be the facilitator of great learning? Perhaps we might see some more great golfers/sports people/skilly types
Just a thought – it hurts – thinking that is
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