Theory
A brief introduction to some of the theories involved in teaching / instructing.
There are many many theories on teaching/instructing and many ways of describing things. I try to remain consistent and use the term instructing to describe teaching people to do stuff; but the terms are interchangable.
Some of the more popular theories on instructing are: Constructivism, Behaviorism, Piaget's Developmental Theory, Neuroscience, Brain-Based Learning, Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligences, Right Brain/Left Brain Thinking, Communities of Practice, Control Theory, Observational Learning, Vygotsky and Social Cognition. There are plenty more! On this page I shall describe some of the theories I am more familiar with and those applied directly to the Judo environment.
Within Judo the most popular theory applied is probably "Observational Learning". Which in it's most simplified state could be described I suppose as "watching". In Judo often we demonstrate a technique, describe it and then we send the students off to practise it. The students learn by observing then doing.
Very few of us explore other methods, this is both a matter of necessity and also habit. More advanced learning theories are generally only used on more advanced players, not on our child beginner. Personally I think this is a shame and as instructors we need to explore more methods to get our students learning. However, the reality of our situation is that this method of demonstration-description-do is the most prevalent and it is effective, so lets explore some of the theories INSIDE this system.
Demonstration - Description - Do
Using this method we show them what they are to learn, we describe it, then we let them do it. We then observe and feedback to the students and then repeat the process either on the same technique to restate an important factor or to introduce a new one. Else we move to a new technique.
The Demonstration
Here are a few rules I (try to) apply when demonstrating a technique.
- I demonstrate the technique in its entire form, I.e. if it is a throw, from grip to ne-waza.
- I do not describe whilst demonstrating
- I do it at normal pace (perhaps SLIGHTLY slower than normal)
- I throw three times, one with my left shoulder to the group, one with my right shoulder to the group and (in the example of a Ippon Seoi) one with my back initially to the group.
- I throw towards the students
The above rules force me to grip left & right handed and to throw to the left and right. I demonstrate three times fairly quickly and without speaking, this ensures that the students see from several angles and see the real dynamics of the technique. They see it left and right, which is important especially now days to help develop players to the left
The Description
I tend to give the Japanese name (Ippon Seoi Nage) and the English translation (one armed shoulder throw), I give it twice at the start and tend to repeat the name at the end.
I will then describe BRIEFLY the main key point of the technique (One arm under), then no more than two other points (turn 180 degrees, bend the knees). I then restate the main point (one arm under) and the name in both languages.
Then "Hajime!". The whole process I aim to do in about 2-3 minutes, INCLUDING DEMONSTRATION!
Do It!
At this stage, I bite my tongue and walk to the edge of the mat and circle the entire class observing.
I try not to comment at all for at least 1-2 minutes, to allow the students to try it. If I comment to soon, it puts pressure on them.
After 2-3 minutes I'll circle the mat again and make POSITIVE comments on the progress so far.
The students get 5-7 minutes to try the technique, then I call "Matte!" and repeat the process highlighting areas I have observed or points not covered.
Summary
This is a brief introduction to the theory of teaching in a Judo environment. I have focussed on what is probably the single most used method and set out a few guidelines that I have learned and TRY to obey. I hope they prove useful to you as ideas for thought if nothing else. Please do email me your reactions, ideas, etc.
