April2014.pdf April 2014 | Page 42

Instructor Training innovative drills that narrow to one specific skill, you induce working memory, or the ability to teach your brain how to develop the skill at hand. 3. Curriculum review – You risk over-working or underdeveloping your student’s knowledge of the curriculum if you do not have a system in place for covering each portion of the curriculum. By systematically rotating the curriculum in a strategic manner that compliments the skill-building drills, your students will retain the material faster. 4. End of class game – 1990 is calling and they want their class format back if you do not end class with a highenergy game. Of course, too much of one game and your students may get bored. By systematically rotating your games so that they stay fresh, you get the social and emotional benefits of this strategy while leaving them wanting more. 42 Dojo Digest • April 2014 Conclusion Having strategically-designed and systematized class planners in the Martial Arts school is equivalent to having a rocket science degree at a space school. It requires countless hours of research and development, and a variety of case studies to ensure its ongoing success. However, the finished product will bring a wealth of benefits including: better retenti