Course Structure

In our online courses there is a simple heirarchy:

Lessons

Foundations of knowledge required to develop the skill, or to appreciate why the skill is important (the ‘why”). They also include vocabulary/glossaries and racing rules used in this very technical sport.

Activities

Actions that develop skills through demonstration, practice and repetition, with materials that demonstrate the “how” of skill execution, experienced in a safe environment.

Assessments

Information captured to measure comprehension, task completion and reflection/feedback to progress learning.

As you would expect, this coach course is mostly concerned with hands-on teaching through practice sessions on the water. While there is a heavy emphasis on running Activities (skills & drills), Lessons provide the context for coaches to teach specific skills within different conditions, ages or equipment. 

Experienced coaches use assessments to reflect on what activities work in these contexts, to continually adapt and improve the course and their coaching skills. For new coaches, certification-style assessments ensure they understand the key principles and processes to teach the course with consistent quality. 

In contrast, the corresponding Bronze Sailor course has a strong emphasis of foundational knowledge developed through Lessons, and reinforced through Assessments. These form the bookends around practice sessions; Lessons teach specific sailing concepts and vocabulary prior to attending practice, and Assesments allow sailors to reflect on learning – and ultimately competition – after practice or racing events. Activities are mostly used for housekeeping tasks to help sailors independently manage their own experience in the program.