Yesterday Switzerland presented indoor lecture with the topic of “Stop thinking, Start learning” This topic was based on Swiss methodology of skill development. Presentation was done by Isa, she is in charge of educational committee on Swiss Snow School Snowboard division. Similar to CASI, they emphasize on delivering lesson customized to customer’s needs in order to give the best learning experience. For instructors, they develop several points and tools to structure high quality and fun lessons in the simplest way possible.
Three models are introduced:
1st level – Acquisition/ Consolidation
2nd level – Application/ Variation
3rd level – Creation/ Supplementation
We also discussed in groups to list some key points to simplify lessons, such as small steps, good demo, analogy, simple and clear explanation etc.
Today’s on snow presentation was based on indoor presentation. Breen and I were in the group of Philipp, a technical director from Davos snow school.
At the start of the presentation, Philipp mentioned two goals:
1: Learn to do trick called “Harry” ( nose press with backside shifty)
2: Introducing Swiss methodology of skill development.
The first goal is a technical goal and the second goal is a pedagogical goal.
Philipp started just showing clear demo and made us try with mileage. At this stage his intention was to make us learn basic form of this trick “harry” just by copying his demo. Then at the top of the lift on the flat area, he made us do static “harry” without board first, then with board assisted by someone. Then we went down to apply this moment on the easy terrain to start, kept practicing with mileage. This first step is Acquisition and consolidation.
Next, Philipp added three analogies to help us perform “harry ” better.
1: Superman – lean forward to the direction of the travel
2: Kick boxer – back foot heel kick movement
3: Frisbee throw (with front hand) – helping body to move forward
Also he added another hint, making us feel pressure on big toe on front foot, pressure on heel on back foot.
This second step is Application and Variation
Lastly he paired us up and perform “harry” following each other. This gave us an opportunity to copy each other’s movement and learn the timing of performing “harry”. After this we headed to terrain park to try “harry” on the rollers of the jumps. This allowed us to adapt timing with more speed and perform more stylish “harry” . He also gave us last hint which is the extension of hip, knee and ankle joints when performing “harry”
This third step is Creation and Supplementation.
Overall it was a fun session, well-prepared, maximized terrain available. We were challenged, moving, cheering, laughing, falling. It is always interesting to see the different approaches to similar materials we use in the CASI system. Philipp was focusing on presenting clear structures of the Swiss methodology of skill development and it was definitely clearly delivered. I wished we had more group or personalized feedbacks to achieve our technical goal more efficiently, even if we were using guided discovery approach.
It is always fun to learn new things!
By the way we decided to name #swissharry for this trick. Don’t forget to use this in your photos!
Yuki
