Initial Reflections - Sport and Technology
After reading the tasks for this unit I am excited about the opportunities
that technology can offer to enhance my coaching.
The three main areas that I feel that technology can assist me in developing are:
- feedback and evaluation
- communication and motivation
- business development
As Dressage training often involves
transporting both the horse and rider, the number of sessions that a
rider and coach can work together each week is generally limited. After viewing some of the current technology that is available, they appear to provide a medium which can be used to improve both the feedback and communication between the coach and rider.
Western
Australia is particularly isolated. Another challenge is that examples of correctly trained horses and riders are
limited. Here, technology presents new options to improve the athletes understanding of their training and ways for athletes to compare themselves against the standard of current world class competitors.
Another avenue that I wish to pursue is to develop my coaching brand and business. Here technology and social networking sites appear to be moving at a very rapid pace and this is something that I would like to be more confident in utilizing.
Task One
I can see value in all the essential areas for coaches. I would currently
rate my abilities in these areas as follows:
Presentation Application (Power Point) 5/10
Word Processing Applications
6/10
Spread sheet Application
5/10
Video Editing
Software
5/10
Video Analysis Software
4.5/10
Visual
Coaching
No experience
The first task has only one item that I have never seen before - the visual
coaching. After watching the tutorial this offers an exciting means to
communicate with riders and keep them on track at times when training is not viable.
My initial thoughts are that it will be most beneficial to tailor a program for the
horse.
Long term, I would like to prepare yearly programs for horses aged from 3 to
approximately 10 years of age. This would then provide a reference and feedback as they progress up the training levels and I would be able to gain valuable longitudinal
date about the speed of progression through the grades. One thing I am unsure
of is whether or not I could scan common exercises for dressage training and
then link them into the program, rather than using their human athlete exercises?
In most cases, I am able to use them, however it often takes me a while and
I have to ask people to assist me and I recognise that I am not able to use the
applications as effectively as I would like.
I am particularly interested in developing skills in the comparative video
analysis. I am aware that NSWIS currently use this for their squad riders,
giving the rider the judge’s view from both sides of the competition arena (short and long
side).
Task Two
The second task - analysing and resolving issues in coaching by using technology
and presenting it as a voice threat led me to investigate the technologies available.
One that was interesting was a golf specific program that incorporated a website
for the coaches business and was linked up to automatically publish
video feedback analysis to Facebook, twitter and YouTube accounts. http://www.v1golf.com/ I had never
thought of publishing my feedback on social networking sites and immediately began
to question the legal implications and how my athletes would view this use
of their feedback. A verbal survey of five athletes revealed that all were
positive, some requesting that setting be adjusted so that viewing was only possible by my other athletes. This surprised
me, as I don't think I would like my feedback published for others to see.
This concept has definitely triggered an interest in developing a
brand or website to promote my coaching and incorporate learning opportunities
for my athletes.
I am looking forward to the review of the technology that other coaches are
integrating into their programs. I think this is definitely an area that I can
improve in significantly.
Task Three
The blog is not something that I would have previously considered. I am not always
comfortable publishing information as I always think there is still so much to
learn. I always think if I publish it then I will look back in five years and
think "oh dear, how could I have thought that!”
However, I do see value in reflection and posing questions. Keeping an online record will be a novel and new experience. I would like to start publishing some of my coaching ideas in equestrian magazines, so I hope the blog will assist me in developing a style of writing that is appropriate, educational and entertaining.
No comments:
Post a Comment